The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) said today (Weds. 29th Nov.) that the latest damming HIQA Report on the Aras Attracta facility in Mayo is an indictment of the failure of the HSE to completely overhaul management of the facility and further evidence of the staffing crisis facing intellectual disability and mental health services across the country.
PNA National Secretary, Noel Giblin said that following the RTE Primetime Investigates programme on Aras Attracta in 2014, the PNA had called on the HSE for a total review of management, care practices and resourcing of the facility.
‘Three years on from that RTE investigation, and despite the allocation of some additional resources it is evident that Aras Attracta remains poorly managed and is not providing the proper standards of care that staff are struggling to deliver, and which residents deserve. Management have failed abysmally to deliver on commitments to de-congregate residents to community facilities and provide adequate staffing for the service.’
‘As confirmed in today’s HIQA Report, despite the HSE bringing forward a number of separate Improvement Plans for Aras Attracta there has been minimal implementation of these proposals.’
‘PNA is calling on the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath TD to demand that the HSE explain the continued failure of management at Aras Attract despite the allocation of additional resources to the service.’
Media Contact : Derek Cunningham 0862430535, Noel Giblin 086 3039424
