Senator Phil Prendergast

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Harney must bring HSE faction under control

Issued : Wednesday 20 January, 2010

South Tipperary Senator Phil Prendergast believes officials at the HSE are acting outside their powers by announcing the closure of St Michael’s Acute Mental Health Unit in Clonmel despite ongoing political discussions about health services in Co Tipperary.

Management at St Michael’s were stunned last week when they were told at a regular meeting with HSE officials that the 49-bed unit was to be shut by the end of the year.

"This announcement was made out of the blue. Even the consultants who work there didn’t know about it," Senator Prendergast said.

"The South Tipp Oireachtas members met with Health Minister Mary Harney just before Christmas and we were assured that no decisions would be made without consultation.

"Yet now regional officials have decided to ignore the Minister and try to press ahead with their plan without the input we were all promised.

"And to make matters worse, the HSE South’s formal announcement of the plan contained a litany of untruths and false claims"

"The reorganisation of health services in County Tipperary looks like it is being run by a faction within the HSE that believes it is not accountable to anyone - including ministers.

"I am determined to make these people within the HSE accountable for their actions and to unmask their motives.

"I am seeking an emergency debate in the Seanad about the conduct of theses officials and I will be demanding that Department of Health ministers immediately take control of the situation.

"In the meantime, the plan to axe St Michael’s must be put on hold because its promoters within the HSE are acting outside their powers by defying Minister Harney who promised consultation."