Sir, - We are very appreciative of the kind comments in your editorial of September 24th regarding the Eastern Healthboard psychiatric service. It provides valuable encouragement for all those working to develop the service from an outmoded institutional to a community based service. This policy, which has been shown to be extremely successful from the patients' point of view, has been pursued vigorously by our board and management.
What is now happening, with the transfer of patients from the Weir Home in Dublin, is a continuation of this policy. Since 1981, Weir Home has functioned as a ward of St Brendan's and its operational policies are similar to any ward unit of the hospital. Weir Home has had accommodation overall for 37 persons; 24 now reside there. The decision to move patients from the Weir Home into more modern accommodation was taken some time ago, and it was only subsequently decided that the vacant premises would be used as a community drugs treatment centre.
In 1989 our board appointed a consultant psychiatrist with particular expertise in rehabilitation and resettling patients from old style hospitals into homes in the community, with professional support where appropriate. Since then, following professional assessment, over 1,000 people have been moved into the community. Research has shown that not only do they enjoy a much better quality of life, but their relatives/carers are much happier with the quality of service and personal support available both to the patient and themselves.
Our medical staff, headed by our consultant, are now working with all the experience and sensitivity they have gained over the years to achieve an equally successful and sensitive transfer of patients from the Weir Home into smaller group homes in the community. - Yours, etc.,
Programme Manager,
Special Hospital Services, Eastern Health Board, Dr Steevens' Hospital, Dublin.