The Galway city alcohol and drug addiction clinic that was burned down in a fire that was started deliberately in 2013 will not be rebuilt.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) West has confirmed that there is “no requirement to rebuild” the addiction counselling services building in Merlin Park that was “damaged beyond repair” in September 2013.
The HSE said the services offered by the service are still be provided but from other buildings and in the community.
Since the fire, which was investigated by Gardaí, the building was demolished and the site cleared for health and safety.
Bernard Gloster, acting chief officer, HSE West explained that, since the fire, the Galway and Roscommon mental health services have undergone “reconfiguration” in the way services are delivered.
The changes are in line with the new national mental health policy, ‘Vision for Change’.
“This means that services are being provided through community-based multi-disciplinary consultant-led teams which include service provision for people with mental health difficulties and co-morbid addiction problems,” he said.
Mr Gloster explained that the addiction counsellors that were based in Merlin Park are now working as part of Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) and provide addiction counselling services to inpatients at the Department of Psychiatry at UHG and to outpatients at home and in outpatient clinics in communities.
One of the addiction counsellors from Merlin Park is now in La Nua building in Ballybane, with a CMHT team which covers Oranmore, Headford and Gort areas.
The other counsellor is temporarily based at an office in Merlin Park, and works within a team covers west Galway.
Mr Gloster added: “The HSE continues to provide addiction services in Dominick Street in Galway City for people with addiction problems and works in close collaboration with PCCC taking referrals from GPs and allied health professionals. These patients are offered an out-reach service in their community.
“As a consequence of these developments, there is no requirement to rebuild in order to provide these services. The future of the site will be considered in the context of the spatial development plan for Merlin Park and overall requirements for accommodation.”
Mr Gloster gave the response in reply to questions from Independent City Councillor Catherine Connolly at the most recent HSE West regional health forum.
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