An £800,000 project to refurbish and extend the admissions unit at St Ita's Psychiatric Hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin, has been completed. The new facility, which will cater for 48 acute patients pending the opening of a specialised unit in Beaumont Hospital, was officially opened yesterday by the chairman of the Eastern Health Board, Mr Ivor Callely TD.
The role of the Irish Times columnist Vincent Browne in raising awareness of conditions was later acknowledged by the hospital's clinical director, Dr Richard Blennerhassett. Mr Browne had played "a very positive role" in highlighting the neglect of the hospital and the mental health area generally, although he said some of his comments had been unfair.
Dr Blennerhassett also praised the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, who in his last Cabinet position had been the first health minister since Mr Charles Haughey to visit the hospital. His "low-profile" tour of St Ita's in late 1997 had been the catalyst for the improvements now being made.
