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Politicians must stand together as HSE prepares to move first resident from the Rosalie Unit

Joint statement from Michael Fitzmaurice TD, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Ivan Connaughton and Councillor Nigel Dineen

All politicians have been called upon to stand together as the HSE reportedly prepares to move the first resident out of the Rosalie Unit in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.

News broke recently that the facility would “cease to function as a community psychiatric unit” after an assessment by Dr. James Anderson concluded that the “current residents do not require continuing in-patient psychiatric care”.

The HSE stated that the Mental Health Area Management Team for Galway and Roscommon has been asked to put “alternative care arrangements in place for each of the residents of the Rosalie Unit”.

As it stands, there are currently 12 people residing in the unit in Castlerea.

Commenting on the matter, independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said: “It has been brought to my attention that the HSE intends to move one of the current residents of the Rosalie Unit tomorrow (Thursday, April 17th).

“The residents of the unit have received a tremendous level of care down through the years. They consider the Rosalie Unit to be their home and moving them would cause them a great level of distress.

Continuing, the Roscommon-Galway TD wished to “throw down the gauntlet” to all TDs, Senators and County Councillors in the constituency to oppose the decision to close the unit and to prevent any of the current residents from being moved.

“Given that the Local and European elections are coming up, candidates who are running need to nail the colours to the mast. Will they stand by the residents of the Rosalie Unit and their families or will they turn a blind eye in order to tow the party line?

“There are politicians out there who are involved in this Government or whose political party is propping up this Government; these people have serious decisions to make.

“The residents of the Rosalie Unit and their family members need the support of all politicians, regardless of their party affiliations.”

Broken promises

The Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Ivan Connaughton, has also condemned the decision to close the Rosalie Unit.

He said: “I attended meetings in Castlerea in the past where commitments were given by politicians in Government to keep the unit open.

“But it’s very clear that they have now gone back on their promises, which is nothing new in Co. Roscommon. Action needs to be taken now to overturn the decision to close the unit.”

‘Total disgrace’

Meanwhile, Councillor Nigel Dineen has described the recent developments surrounding the Rosalie Unit as a “total disgrace”.

Speaking on the matter, he said: “The residents in the Rosalie Unit deserve to continue to receive a high level of care in a facility which they have resided in for a number of years.

“Both the residents and their family members are happy with the level of care provided at the unit in Castlerea and have no wish to be moved. This upheaval is being forced upon them.

“I want to echo the calls for support of the residents of the Rosalie Unit and their families. Everyone needs to pull together to get this decision overturned,” he concluded.

 

Michael Fitzmaurice TD – 0861914565

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Ivan Connaughton – 0868985013

Cllr Nigel Dineen – 0862130723