When completed, this new state of the art facility will replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum. The construction of the new hospital is one of the Government’s priority projects in the Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2020 and marks an important milestone on the path to providing a modern mental health service.
“This new hospital represents our modern approach to mental health,” said Minister Lynch. “It symbolises this government’s commitment to prioritising mental health in an open and progressive manner. This commitment has been underpinned by the allocation of €120m in the HSE Capital Programme 2016-2020 to deliver this project. This makes it the third biggest health capital project being progressed by the State in the current capital plan.”
Ms Anne O’Connor, HSE National Director of Mental Health, added: “I would like to congratulate all involved in designing and developing this new state of the art facility, which is designed to meet the needs of our service users, family members and staff. I would also like to thank all of our staff who have worked tirelessly over many years for their commitment and hard work to bring this project to this crucial stage. This facility will be a critical component to the delivery of the full range of mental health services to the population of Ireland”.
According to Prof Harry Kennedy, Executive Clinical Director, NFMHS, the new hospital will provide a modern, safe and secure therapeutic environment.
The NFMHS hospital will comprise of a 120-bed Adult Forensic Hospital, together with a 10-bed Forensic Child and Adolescent Unit and 10-bed Forensic Mental Health Intellectual Disability Unit on the same site within the St Ita’s Hospital campus.
The new facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, stated the Department.
St Ita’s will continue to provide specialist services for people with intellectual disabilities, in addition to child and adolescent mental health services.
