New €4 million HSE mental health facility for South Tipperary
Haven House, a HSE mental health respite care centre in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, has been officially opened today by the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Mental Health and Older People Mrs. Mary Butler T.D.
The new facility at Glenconnor, adjacent to the South Tipperary General Hospital complex in Clonmel, was completed and became operational in March of 2023.
Haven House is a one story, 10 en-suite bed single occupancy, purpose built facility, offering service users of South Tipperary Mental Health Services step up/step down support as an alternative to in-patient treatment in an acute psychiatric unit.
Such crisis support accommodation for South Tipperary was previously provided by the HSE’s mental health services at the nearby eight bed Glenville House, which Haven House was built as a replacement.
Speaking at the official opening the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Mental Health and Older People Mrs. Mary Butler T.D. said:
“The completion and coming into operation of Haven House is the latest of investments, made over the last decade, in the provision of quality and safe mental health services for people in the South Tipperary area.”
“This investment programme has included the development of mental health liaison services in South Tipperary General Hospital, a new purpose built Community Mental Healthcare Centre in Clonmel (and, likewise, Carraig Óir in Cashel), the establishment of two new mental health day hospitals in Cashel and Clonmel, the operation and resourcing of Community Mental Health Teams and home based services, a purpose built 40 en-suite bed Psychiatry of Later Life and Rehabilitation/Recovery Community Nursing Unit (Haywood Lodge) in Clonmel, a 12 bed high support hostel (Garryshane) in Clonmel and a purpose built nine-bedded, 24-hour, nurse-staffed residence (Lorica) in Cashel.”
“In addition to the support of Community Mental Health Teams, the core daily complement of staff in Haven House includes a Nurse Manager, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Staff Nurses, administration, catering and household staff. I want to congratulate everyone involved in ensuring this project has come to fruition and I know its service users and their families will appreciate the wonderful facility it is.”
Mulcahy Construction began building the facility at Glenconnor, Clonmel in late 2021, as part of a project that also involved Moloney/O’ Beirne Architects, Duffy Quigley Chartered Surveyors and Frank Fox & Associates Structural Engineers.
Also speaking at the official opening were Martina Queally (Regional Executive Officer, HSE/Dublin and South East Health Region), Derval Howley (Acting Chief officer, HSE/South East Community Healthcare) and Anne Donaghey (Head of Service/Mental Health, HSE/South East Community Healthcare).
The recently appointed Regional Executive Officer Martina Queally said:
“I am delighted to be present for the opening of one state of the art mental health facility, whilst another development (the 50 bed Community Nursing Unit replacement build for St. Anthony’s Unit) was nearing completion on the adjacent site at Glenconnor and that such a mix of primary care, mental health, older persons, disability, health and wellbeing and acute hospital services were in situ on the Western Road complex. Whilst not underestimating the challenges, I am looking forward to working with all concerned to further implement the vision articulated in Sláintecare strategy in improving Ireland’s national healthcare system for all.
Chief Officer Derval Howley said:
“Patient care is a priority focus for the HSE, throughout all components of its service delivery. We work closely with the Mental Health Commission and service user forums in this regard. Having modern purpose built accommodation like Haven House is of great value in that respect and it will benefit patients, their families and the diligent cohorts of mental health staff across community, residential support and inpatient settings who provide a wide range of supports.”
Head of Service for Mental Health Anne Donaghey said:
“Haven House provides care and support to service users with mental health difficulties who experienced episodes of mental illness decline, requiring a short period for recovery and support. This form of community based intervention offers an alternative to in-patient care for a proportion of those who may otherwise be admitted to hospital.”
“Haven House provides assessment, treatment and care to service users, where teams of professionals are available to serve their needs. Haven House has the support of six Community Mental Health Teams within South Tipperary Mental Health Services, consisting of Multidisciplinary Teams including Consultant Psychiatrist, Junior Doctors (NCHDSs), Nursing, Social Worker, Psychology and Occupational Therapists. Haven House supports service users to identify a plan in relation to desired goals and supports them o achieve these goals. The team here also offers support with community reintegration and support with links to community resources and services.”
Last updated on: 15 / 04 / 2024
