Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
OFFICIALS FROM THE Health Service Executive are due to meet with the local health forum and TDs today over the ongoing issues at the psychiatric unit in Roscommon County Hospital.
A crisis at the hospital has been highlighted by the Psychiatric Nurses Association and local TDs in recent days after the death of a mother-of-two and a number of dangerous incidents including assaults on patients and staff.
Sinéad McPartland Brennan, a 38-year-old mother to twins, died recently following a tragic incident while in care. Her family have requested a full probe into the circumstance surrounding her death and believe the unit was understaffed when Sinéad took her own life.
In another case, the PNA claimed that ‘suicidal’ man was turned away from the unit which suspended all admissions last week. The association wants more staff at the ‘unsafe unit’ but denies claims that there are high levels of sick leave.
This was a claim made by the Taoiseach the Dáil this week when he told TDs: “I understand from the HSE that Roscommon Psychiatric Unit has experienced high levels of sick leave in recent weeks, and to compensate this acute psychiatric services are being run across Galway and Roscommon.
But the PNA claims just one nurse is on long-term sick leave and this was as a result of being assaulted in April.
The HSE says that there are three nurses marked as absent on certified sick leave with a further three staff on maternity leave who have not been replaced.
Local TD Luke Ming Flanagan told TheJournal.ie this week that “this is not a secure unit” and warned that more incidents are likely if the “mayhem” at the hospital is not addressed soon.
Today’s meeting will likely address staffing levels with HSE seeking to provide assurances that there are adequate numbers of staff in the acute unit.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Brexit is like a middle-aged man deciding that faraway hills are green, dumping the wife, buying a sports car, getting hair plugs and hanging out in trendy bars trying to crack on to young women.
The point he’s at now is closing time of the bar in the early hours. The staff are trying to clear up around him as he sways drunkenly from side to side arguing with anyone and everyone.
At some level he knows that he’s made a colossal mistake. His wife is going to take him to the cleaners, his kids don’t want to see him and all for what?
To recapture the past?
At least he has taken back control…
@Phil O’ Meara: Do middle-aged women ever get to do these things? Seems a bit sexist and very unfair if they don’t…
@Phil O’ Meara: Well Phil, that’s put me right off dumping the Mrs, buying a sports Car, and getting the noggin done. I’ve been saving up all lockdown for an Audi TT and a trip to Turkey!!
What’s the point of signing a deal with a party that’s threatening to break a deal if you don’t sign?
@Mick Tobin: It’s called politics. Countries and alliances break deals, laws and regulations all the time when it’s expedient for them to do so…
https://reaction.life/the-new-brexit-storm/
If they knew what they wanted 4.5 years ago we could have been ready by now. Britain still waiving the rules and messing it up for everyone.
@Paul Furey: a former imperial power unable to accept their place in 21st century world order, embarrassing themselves every step of the way.
@How is it only Wednesday?: very true! And the amount of misguided nostalgia that was sold to your average brexiteer…..and they swallowed every single word. They get what they deserve.
Throw them out on their ear, the arrogance is off the charts with them, a couple of months of Brexit reality and a collapsing economy should humble them
Wonder why the UK decided to fast track the Covid vaccine yesterday, are they looking for cover so they can go ahead with these 2 bills and breach the Northern Irish protocol…wouldn’t be surprised.
If so the talks will be in crisis, and we’re really looking at no deal, the EU won’t deal with them any longer – trust and goodwill will be completely gone.
The unfortunate thing is that we’ll be caught in the crossfire
This bill is a threat to EU negotiators. Give us what we want , on our terms , or you’ll be sorry. The Brexit eers(tories) believe that if they take it to the wire the EU side will crack.A bit of old divide and conquer technique. It always worked swimmingly back in the good old days of the empire, old boy.
Wanna have hot-lovin’ conversations? You’re on the right way! – chatie.club/xxx
have your say