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		Health bosses spent &euro;2.8million upgrading a mental health unit but are to close it within five months, it has emerged.</p>
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		The Health Service Executive is to shut St Brigid&rsquo;s ward in Ballinasloe, Co Galway, despite pumping cash into the facility.</p>
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		And in a further blow, staff were not informed of the decision to axe the 22-bed acute psychiatric unit.</p>
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		Independent TD Denis Naughten said there was no rationale for the decision after the revamp.</p>
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		He added: &ldquo;It makes absolutely no sense. It is probably the most modern facility in the country.</p>
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		&ldquo;There&rsquo;s no logic to it. The cash was used to make the wards the best. The sinks and toilets were indestructible.&rdquo;</p>
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		The department will be shut before the end of the year as part of reconfiguration plans.</p>
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		Under the review, 22 similar beds will be maintained in Roscommon along with 35 in Galway city.</p>
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		Independent councillor Tim Broderick said the move may endanger patients&rsquo; health.</p>
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		He added: &ldquo;There is no foundation to the decision. The facility is not being replaced and it is exposing people.</p>
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		&ldquo;It is risking people&rsquo;s lives. Suicide has never been so high. East Galway is in turmoil and the recession has taken its toll here same as everywhere.</p>
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		&ldquo;The people of east Galway deserve to have services available as any other part of the country.</p>
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		&ldquo;This is all about money. The HSE is not fit for purpose. The people managing services are incompassionate. Their utter drive is to get up the line as fast as they can.&rdquo;</p>
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		Mr Broderick said people who are needing help shouldn&rsquo;t have to worry about the logistical nightmare of getting to a facility.</p>
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		He said: &ldquo;This is criminal. We welcomed the money being put into the facility because it was very close to becoming a 50-bed facility that was midway between Galway and Roscommon.</p>
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		&ldquo;It is disgraceful. You have to experience it to believe it.</p>
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		&ldquo;It is not an anger, it is a disbelief. This must be stopped, it is necessary to save people&rsquo;s lives.&rdquo;</p>
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		A public meeting was held on Tuesday evening when staff and families of patients expressed their disgust at the decision.</p>
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		They said the first they heard of it was through local media and local politicians who were informed of the move before staff and unions.</p>
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		Paul Hardy of SIPTU confirmed the HSE has not been in contact with workers at St Brigids and it looks unlikely in the future.</p>
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		A HSE spokeswoman said: &ldquo;The work that was carried out was essential repairs and upgrading to provide a safe building for patients and staff including roof, insulation etc.</p>
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		&ldquo;However the work was done in such a way to ensure that the upgraded areas could continue to be used for community mental health services.</p>
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		&ldquo;Ballinasloe will continue to provide mental health services into the future so the upgraded buildings will be used and will play an important role into the future.&rdquo;</p>
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		<a href="http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/hse-close-mental-health-unit-2137029">http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/hse-close-mental-health-unit-2137029</a></p>
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