The HSE has defended the closure of Our Lady's Ward in St. Brigids pychiatric Hospital, Ballinasloe.

The unit is set to close as the Executive says it is no longer 'fit-for-purpose'.

In a statement to Galway Bay fm news, the HSE says the closure is part of an overall reconfiguration and all residents will be moved to more appropriate accommodation.

A 22 bed acute facility will remain in Ballinasloe following the closure.

The HSE says this is more than adequate for the population and is in line with the Vision for Change policy.

It adds that the Service Plan 2012 is committed to ensuring that there would be a 22 bed inpatient acute facility in Ballinasloe and capital works have already commenced, to be completed by year end.

However, Galway Councillor Tim Broderick has hit out at the closure and has raised concerns over the "inappropriate relocation" of patients within the unit.

He says moving patients to the acute 22 bed ward may create health and safety issues and has called on the HSE to hold off on the closure until the fit-for-purpose unit is made available.