Derry councillor seeks support to overturn Avoca Lodge closure 

Sinn Féin Councillor Emma McGinley has urged the local council to back calls to overturn a decision to close the Avoca Lodge supported living facility at Gransha Hospital.

Cllr. McGinley commented: “The Western Health and Social Care Trust recently confirmed plans to close Avoca Lodge and move the service and staff to other facilities.

“This has obviously caused a huge deal of concern and distress to service users, their families and the staff who work there.

“We all know that mental health provision needs to be a priority in this city, given the clear extent of the need that exists so this decision seems to be completely out of step with addressing that need.

“We need more and better mental health provision, not less, so I have tabled a motion before Derry City and Strabane Council calling for this decision to be overturned.

“I would urge all parties to back that motion and send a very strong message to the Western Trust that this city wants Avoca Lodge to remain open.”

Full motion: That this Council expresses its concern at the Western Health and Social Care Trust plan to close the Avoca Lodge supported living facility at Gransha Hospital; recognises the distress this is causing to service users and their families and calls on the Trust to overturn this decision.