“The completion and coming into operation of Haven House is the latest in the series of investments, made over the last decade, in the provision of quality and safe mental health services for people in the South Tipperary area,” according to Mary Butler, TD, Minister of State, who performed the official opening of the facility in recent weeks.

Haven House

A HSE mental health respite care centre in Clonmel, Haven House is a a one storey, 10 ensuite bed, single occupancy, purpose-built facility. It offers service users of South Tipperary Mental Health Services step up/step down support as an alternative to in-patient treatment in an acute psychiatric unit.

The new facility was completed and became operational in March 2023.

The Minister noted that “this investment programme has included the development of mental health liaison services in South Tipperary General Hospital, a new purpose-built Community Mental Healthcare Centre in Clonmel (and, likewise, Carraig Óir in Cashel) and the establishment of two new mental health day hospitals in Cashel and Clonmel. It has ensured the operation and resourcing of Community Mental Health Teams and home based services, a purpose-built 40 ensuite bed Psychiatry of Later Life and Rehabilitation/Recovery Community Nursing Unit (Haywood Lodge) in Clonmel; along with a 12 bed high-support hostel (Garryshane) in Clonmel and a purpose built nine-bedded, 24-hour, nurse-staffed residence (Lorica) in Cashel.”

The Minister further noted that in addition to the support of Community Mental Health Teams, the core daily complement of staff in Haven House includes a Nurse Manager, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, staff nurses, administrative staff, catering and household staff.

Concluding, the Minister said she wanted to “congratulate everyone involved in ensuring this project has come to fruition and I know its service users and their families will appreciate the wonderful facility it is.” 

Adding her congratulations, Martina Queally, Regional Executive Officer (REO), HSE Dublin and South East Region, said she was “delighted to be present for the opening of this state-of-the-art mental health facility, whilst another development (the 50 bed Community Nursing Unit replacement build for St. Anthony’s Unit) is nearing completion on the adjacent site at Glenconnor. I am pleased to see that such a mix of primary care, mental health, older persons, disability, health and wellbeing and acute hospital services are in situ on the Western Road complex. Whilst not underestimating the challenges, I am looking forward to working with all concerned to further implement the vision articulated in Sláintecare in improving Ireland’s national healthcare system for all.”

Acting Chief Officer, HSE South East Community Healthcare, Derval Howley, also stressed how “patient care is a priority focus for the HSE, throughout all components of its service delivery. We work closely with the Mental Health Commission and service user forums in this regard. Having modern purpose-built accommodation like Haven House is of great value in that respect and it will benefit patients, their families and the diligent cohorts of mental health staff across community, residential support and inpatient settings who provide a wide range of supports.”

Head of Service for Mental Health, HSE South East Community Healthcare, Anne Donaghey, added that “Haven House provides care and support to service users with mental health difficulties who experienced episodes of mental illness decline, requiring a short period for recovery and support. This form of community-based intervention offers an alternative to in-patient care for a proportion of those who may otherwise be admitted to hospital. Haven House provides assessment, treatment and care to service users, with teams of professionals available to serve their needs.

“This facility has the support of six Community Mental Health Teams within South Tipperary Mental Health Services, consisting of multidisciplinary teams including Consultant Psychiatrist, Junior Doctors (NCHDs), nursing, Social Worker, psychology and Occupational Therapists. Haven House supports service users to identify a plan in relation to desired goals and supports them to achieve these goals. The team here also offers support with community reintegration and support with links to community resources and services.”