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Addict clinic closure 'is insane' Addict clinic closure 'is insane'
(about 1 hour later)
An ex-mayor has told how an addiction clinic which has been forced to close helped "put his life back together" after treating his alcoholism.An ex-mayor has told how an addiction clinic which has been forced to close helped "put his life back together" after treating his alcoholism.
Last week, staff at Cuan Mhuire addiction unit in Newry were told new residents could not be admitted.Last week, staff at Cuan Mhuire addiction unit in Newry were told new residents could not be admitted.
Newry politician Pat McGinn said the centre offered him "time, space and care" during his alcoholism recovery.Newry politician Pat McGinn said the centre offered him "time, space and care" during his alcoholism recovery.
The closure is due to ageing buildings and the building of a new motorway section. The health board and trust said they were working to see how they could help those living in the facility.
The alcohol and drug addiction centre will close within weeks due to ageing buildings and the building of a new motorway section.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said relevant agencies would assist "in the managed discharge of existing residents".Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said relevant agencies would assist "in the managed discharge of existing residents".
Mr McGinn, a Sinn Fein councillor, told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme that when he arrived at Cuan Mhuire his "life was broken". Mr McGinn, a Sinn Fein councillor, told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme, that when he arrived at Cuan Mhuire his "life was broken".
The casualty service, the pressure on the NHS will increase - we just think it is insane that this service is being closed for the sake of a road Hilary Campbell MartinForum for Action on Substance AbuseThe casualty service, the pressure on the NHS will increase - we just think it is insane that this service is being closed for the sake of a road Hilary Campbell MartinForum for Action on Substance Abuse
"My family were living with a nightmare. I was taken in here unconditionally," he said."My family were living with a nightmare. I was taken in here unconditionally," he said.
"The ethos of Cuan Mhuire is unconditional love and unconditional care, and that's where I received those things and was helped to put my life back together again."The ethos of Cuan Mhuire is unconditional love and unconditional care, and that's where I received those things and was helped to put my life back together again.
"The closure of Cuan Mhuire means the chance for broken lives to be repaired has been removed by this decision.""The closure of Cuan Mhuire means the chance for broken lives to be repaired has been removed by this decision."
'Sake of a road' Programme director at Cuan Mhuire, Sister Kathleen O'Connor, said she was sure that some people would die as a result of the unit's closure.
Programme director at Cuan Mhuire, Sister Kathleen O'Connor, said she was definite that some people would die as a result of the unit's closure.
"We have saved many people from death. Some of them are very, very ill when they come in and we have done our best to bring them back to a normal life," she said."We have saved many people from death. Some of them are very, very ill when they come in and we have done our best to bring them back to a normal life," she said.
The centre treats alcoholics and other addicts
Hilary Campbell Martin from the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse said it was "a disgraceful decision" to close Cuan Mhuire.Hilary Campbell Martin from the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse said it was "a disgraceful decision" to close Cuan Mhuire.
"The knock-on impact from this treatment centre closing is that we are going to expect some of the brunt of that," she said."The knock-on impact from this treatment centre closing is that we are going to expect some of the brunt of that," she said.
"The casualty service, the pressure on the NHS will increase - we just think it is insane that this service is being closed for the sake of a road.""The casualty service, the pressure on the NHS will increase - we just think it is insane that this service is being closed for the sake of a road."
Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy said he had sought an urgent meeting with the health minster.Newry and Armagh MP Conor Murphy said he had sought an urgent meeting with the health minster.
Mr McGimpsey said: "I understand that Cuan Mhuire has taken the difficult decision to cease admissions with immediate effect and will close within a number of weeks. Mr McGimpsey said: "This decision has been taken by the Cuan Mhuire board in light of concerns over health and safety risks to people using this service."
"This decision has been taken by the Cuan Mhuire board in light of concerns over health and safety risks to people using this service." In a joint statement, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust andthe Southern Health and Social Services Board said there would be no more admissions.
"The board will continue to work with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Cuan Mhuire during the closure process," it said.
"The trust will be engaging with Cuan Mhuire to see what assistance and support they require in terms of assessing the needs of those living in the facility."