Kildare South Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon has today (Friday) welcomed confirmation of funding of €5.5m to improve facilities at Lakeview the Acute Mental Health Unit in Naas Hospital.
“Minister for Health Simon Harris visited Naas Hospital in November and saw at first hand the need for improved facilities.  I emphasised to him at that meeting the need for increased investment in Naas, including increased provision for services in the Lakeview unit.  Funding of €5.5m from the Department of Health has now been confirmed by Minister with responsibility for Mental Health Helen McEntee to address some of the physical infrastructural deficits at the Lakeview Unit.
“This funding has been much needed at the unit and is long overdue.  The funding will enable a design team to conduct scoping/design work with a view to construction commencing on the site in 2017. This funding will deliver 8 additional beds and as well as improving existing facilities which will help to alleviate existing services pressures at the facility.
“Lakeview was constructed in the late 1980’s to cater for the then Kildare/West Wicklow population of 135,000.  However with the significant growth in population in the area, there has been increasing pressure on bed occupancy and a need for more acute services.
“I am pleased that this significant need has been recognised by the Department of Health while recruitment also continues to source additional staff to populate three community based Mental Health teams for the Kildare West Wicklow area which will also help to alleviate pressure on Lakeview when completed.