Age Action has criticised the decision by the Health Service Executive to shut down mental health services for older people in Donegal.
According to correspondence from the Health Service Executive, published today by Deputy Thomas Pringle, the HSE closed mental health services for older people in Donegal on 7 September and is refusing to take referrals from GPs.
Justin Moran, Head of Advocacy and Communications at Age Action, said: “The HSE urgently needs to explain why this service has been withdrawn and why no contingency plan has been put in place to provide mental health services to older people in the county.
“It is not acceptable that for three months older people in Donegal with mental health problems have been unable to get the supports they need.
“We were contacted earlier today by Voice of Older People Donegal who know first-hand the difficulties this is causing for families and for GPs across the county.
“The HSE must reinstate this services as quickly as possible and in the meantime put in place supports to ensure that at the very least those older people most in need are provided with the care they require.”
