The Centre for Mental Health Care & Recovery in Bantry General Hospital stands to lose 7 of its 18 beds.

‘We cannot lose these beds’

The clients of a psychiatric centre in West Cork are “distraught” after the recent revelation that 7 beds will be cut from the service.

A new inspection report by the Mental Health Commission (MHC) has deemed that the Centre for Mental Health Care & Recovery in Bantry General Hospital must cut its number of beds from 18 to 11.

An inspection review carried out last year by the MHC on the same centre found it to be too small and cramped to provide a level of care that “respected residents’ dignity”.

Responding to the new report, which will be officially published in the coming months, the Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Danny Collins, called the decision “drastic and detrimental” and said if an extension must be built on the unit, then that’s what should happen.

“This will mean we’ll only have 11 beds in Bantry. It will put pressure on the units here in Cork (city) which are under severe pressure as it is,” said the Mayor at a full meeting of Cork County Council on Monday.

He continued: “As we know, mental health is a big issue out there. We have a lot of people committing suicide. The services that this unit in Bantry provides is unbelievable and the people that use it really appreciate what is being done there. The clients are distraught to be honest.”

Mayor Collins called for the support of the council in writing to the Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler, the MHC and the HSE in protest of the decision.

He also confirmed that he was aware of a similar proposal coming for a psychiatric service in Clonakilty.

Mayor Collins added: “We have to do something. We cannot lose these beds. These beds are being used, they’re full nearly all the time. To lose 7 beds would have drastic consequences for Bantry, Beara, Sheepshead, Mizen, and all around west Cork.”

Supporting the Mayor’s call was West Cork Fianna Fáil Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy who said access to acute mental health services is hugely important for those in distress, especially in a peripheral area like West Cork.

Cllr Murphy said: “There should be no diminishment of the service there and the beds should be maintained. We should be calling on the HSE to maintain the service provision there and invest in the building to bring it up to standard to allow for the maintenance of the existing beds there.”

In a statement issued to the Cork Independent, the MHC said it could not comment on the matter until the latest report is officially published.