Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People, today welcomed the earlier than expected reopening of Unit 3B in St Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman.

Temporary arrangements were put in place at the hospital over the Christmas period to ensure continuity, quality and safety of services for all patients. Because of this a number of female patients had to be transferred from Unit 3B to a low secure ward on the Grangegorman Campus.

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Unit 3B had been due to reopen on 16th January but with the cooperation of management and staff the HSE has been able to reopen Unit 3B a fortnight early. Minister Lynch said: "I am delighted that Unit 3B has reopened and the women have now returned. I would like to sincerely thank management and staff for their efforts to minimise the disruption caused to the patients concerned and to ensure that the women enjoyed a pleasant and comfortable Christmas."

Work is underway on the development of a 54-bedded replacement long stay facility as part of the Grangegorman Redevelopment Project. The new facility will provide patients with their own single bedrooms and ensuite facilities, therapy and rehabilitation spaces, enhanced with courtyard settings and a light filled environment to maximize the benefits for patients for the duration of their recovery journey. Construction of the replacement unit is expected to be completed in late 2012.

(CD/GK)