Castlebar needs more respite beds – Kilcoyne

A Castlebar-based county councillor has said more respite beds are needed to serve the county town.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne expressed this few at the recent meeting of the HSE’s Regional Forum West, where members were told that Mayo was ‘well served’ with respite beds.

Figures released by the HSE showed that there is just HSE one respite bed for older people in Castlebar.

The HSE respite beds for adults with intellectual disabilities and four beds for children with intellectual disabilities in Castlebar.

“I just find it strange that in places like Castlebar, where there’s a central population, there’s very few respite beds,” remarked Cllr Kilcoyne at the recent meeting of the HSE Regional Forum West.

“That’s an area with a population of 25,000 within a four-mile radius, and one respite bed.”

Commenting, John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West, said Mayo was ‘well served’ by its three district hospitals; Belmullet District Hospital, Ballina District Hospital and Swinford District Hospital.

There are 14 HSE respite beds for older people in Mayo, including six in Swinford District Hospital and two each in Ballina and Belmullet district hospitals.

“I accept your point. Again we would try to ensure that people are prioritised where they are needed but there is a good level of respite within Mayo,” said Mr Fitzmaurice.