A NEW HSE service for children and adolescents with mental health issues is set to open in Cork in the coming months.

Construction of a new 20 bed inpatient unit and school facility on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Convent at Bessboro, Blackrock, Cork is nearing completion according to a recent letter to Deputy Deirdre Clune. The new facility will add to existing child & adolescent regional inpatient services located in St Stephen’s Hospital in Glanmire, Co Cork.

Welcoming the news, Deputy Clune has said that the facility will contribute greatly to the essential services needed for teenagers and children in the region, however, she hopes it will also provide dedicated services for those suffering with eating disorders.

“Nationwide 7,000 families experience the horror of watching their son, daughter, brother or sister slowly deteriorating in front of their eyes. Some 500 of these families will pay the ultimate price for the lack of support services. To date there have been no dedicated beds outside of Dublin and it is welcomed news that the new unit in Bessboro will help cater for these young people.”

“The average age for the onset of anorexia is 14 while for bulimia it is 17, however children as young as 9 years old have reportedly been affected by this disorder. Early intervention and treatment is recognised as the most successful method of dealing with eating disorders thus the absence of any service to manage and respond to cases of child or adolescent eating disorders means that early diagnoses and treatment is non-existent.”

“The new unit was first mentioned in 2006 after the government’s Vision For Change report was published and it will be a wonderful asset to young people and to the region. I heard anecdotal reports that the unit was no longer going ahead but after asking the Minister for Health and Children for an update, I am delighted to confirm they have said the project ‘will be completed within the third quarter of 2010’.”

The letter went on to state: “20 additional staff will be appointed to the new unit and these identified Multi Disciplinary Posts are already part of the recruitment process locally and nationally”.

The new unit will provide specialist inpatient mental health services in terms of assessment, care and treatment for children and adolescents, up to the age of 18 years, who present with severe emotional and behavioural disorders where there is a likelihood of mental illness.