This article is from page 2 of the 2013-07-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE redevelopment of the Gort Glas High Support Hostel in Ennis is the highest priority for the delivery of dementia care in Clare, according to The Health Service Executive (HSE).
The HSE identified the redevelopment, which has not yet been earmarked for funding, as key to allowing “greater synergy and coordination” in the delivery of dementia care in the county.
This follows the controvertial allocation of € 190,000 to the Clarecastle and District Daycare Centre in March of this year, a development which the HSE classified as low priority. Clarecastle TD, Joe Carey (FG), was accused of using his influence to gain this funding for his local centre unfairly, an allegation which he denied.
The HSE pointed out at the time that the services being funded in Clarecastle were already being provided “two miles down the road” in Ennis. The Clare People contacted them HSE in March, asking that they outline their funding priorities for the county. In a reply released last week, the Gort Glas development was identified as the HSE’s number one priority.
“As part of the Mid West Mental Health Service Plan 2013, local priorities include the closure of Gort Glas High Support Hostel in Ennis and the redevelopment of the facility as Headquarters for Clare Mental Health Services for Older Persons and as a Day Care Centre for Alzheimer’s patients,” said a HSE spokesperson.
“Local management is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland to develop Gort Glas on the campus of St Josephs Hospital in Ennis as a Dementia Specific Day Centre and out-patient facility for Psychiatry of Old Age.
“The project involved the extension and refurbish of the existing Gort Glas facility in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland. It is anticipated that the ASI will vacate existing rented accommodation in Ennis and relocate to Gort Glas. The relocation project will allow greater synergy and co-ordination of dementia care services in Clare.”
Other priority projects identified by the HSE include the opening of a dementia specific in-patient unit in St Joseph’s Hospital to cater for patients with “complex dementia” as part of the strategy to develop “much needed specialist services” for older persons and enhance integration with elderly care services.