The new National Forensic Mental Health Services in Portrane is due to be completed and handed over to the HSE next month.

This is by far the largest capital development of mental health services in the State and is the second largest capital health development in the country, next only to the new children’s hospital. We have also been informed that it has been constructed within budget. Maybe that will be an impetus for many more much needed mental health developments.

The new service will comprise of a 170-bed campus which is over 70 beds more than the current service in Dundrum. Incorporated within is a 120-bed forensic hospital, 10 bed CAMHS unit, 10 bed mental health intellectual disability unit and a 30 bed intensive care rehabilitation unit (ICRU).

There have been monthly engagements under the auspices of the WRC since October 2018 and several local streams feed into this. Engagements have been intense and robust, but overall positive. Some of the critical issues to be addressed are staffing, skill mix, rosters and a number of issues are currently being addressed in WRC Conciliation.

Considering it will take an extra 200 nurses to staff the campus it is envisaged that the service will open on a phased basis. It is expected that the 120-bed forensic hospital will open towards the end of March/April 2021.

However, it is essential that the whole service is opened and fully staffed within a specific timeframe as the specialised CAMHS, Mental Health Intellectual Disability Unit and the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units are non-existent throughout the country at present.

Also, in relation to the new forensic services.  From the outset of our meetings and discussions with the HSE and the Department of Health we have been insistent that all proceeds from the sale of the very valuable land in Dundrum is protected and ringfenced for investment in the wider mental health services as per Vision for Change policy.  We are continuing to pursue this issue and are awaiting definitive responses on it.