Naughten secures written assurances from Government
In a letter sent on Tuesday to Minister Denis Naughten, Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly, confirmed that he had requested that the HSE “pause all assessments” of Rosalie residents.
The Minister confirmed that “there will be no change to the position set out in the 2015 commitment” by then Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.
Minister Daly also confirmed that no decision would be made on the future of any Rosalie resident pending a final decision on the exact future role of the unit. He added that any change of use for the unit “would only be considered in consultation with public representatives and stakeholders in the area”.
Speaking following the release of the letter into the public domain yesterday (Wednesday), Rosalie campaigner Liam Walsh, whose mother is a resident in the unit, said a lot had been achieved but there was still much work to be done.
“I think it’s great. Stage one is complete but now we have stage two to make sure this happens but that’s up to the politicians.
“It clearly states twice in the letter that the commitments made in 2015 would be honoured,” he said.
Mr. Walsh also welcomed the news that clinical assessments would be paused and described the appointment of an Independent Advocate for residents who didn’t have a next of kin as “huge”.
“I got a big hug from two of the guys in Rosalie. They’re thrilled. They understood what was going on and they have been stressed by this so it’s good for them. But as Bertie (Ahern) once said: ‘There’s a lot done, but more to do!’”
