Pieta Waterford moving to 'co-location'

The Waterford branch of Pieta House will be move premises within the year due to cost-cutting measures.

The South East centre is located in the Waterside area of the City and offers therapeutic services for people impacted by suicide. 

On Thursday March 12, Pieta House confirmed via spokesperson that the Waterford, Athlone and Tralee centres would be moving their operations to a 'co-location' - within an Integrated Healthcare Area.

The statement said: "By co-locating services with other health and community partners, Pieta can deliver care in settings that are more integrated, accessible and cost-effective. Co-location enhances collaboration, reduces overheads, and ensures that clients can access supports within a broader system of care."

The statement continued: "Pieta remains fully committed to Waterford and the surrounding communities. Maintaining continuity of care and protecting frontline capacity remain central to every decision we take.  We will work with closely with our stakeholders and partners to secure a serviced location in Waterford over the next six months."

The spokesperson stressed that services will still continue in Waterford while the transition takes place, and that the current counsellors would be moving to the new location. 

The spokesperson told the News and Star that co-located space for Waterford could be within the HSE. Three-quarters of Pieta House's funding comes from public donations and fundraising, while the rest comes from the HSE.