Consultation begins on mental health unit closure plans

Published on 5th April 2007 in News

Patients could have to travel to Castle Hill Hospital at Cottingham or to Beverley for mental health treatment under new proposals unveiled this week.

On Monday, Humber Mental Health launched public consultation on plans that could see Bartholomew House in Goole close and patients sent to Mill View Lodge or Mill View Court at Castle Hill.

Both Bartholomew House and the Buckrose Ward in Bridlington will be reviewed and, depending on the outcome of the review, one unit will close.

Patients would then be referred to the Castle Hill development.

Meanwhile, older patients will go to a fit-for-purpose unit currently being built in Beverley.

They were previously being treated in Rivers Ward in Goole, but the facility closed after figures showed it had a long-term occupancy of between ten and 20 per cent. Inpatients are currently cared for at Castle Hill.

The proposals are designed to reflect the national trend of moving from institutionalised care in hospitals to community-based packages.

Angie Mason, director of nursing and service delivery at Humber Mental Health, said: "At the moment, people needing urgent mental health care in the East Riding are admitted to hospital as it is often the only option available.

"Sometimes this is not appropriate as it can mean long periods away from home, work and social networks.

"Introducing these new community teams means we can help people resolve their difficulties through home assessment and treatment as an alternative to hospital admission."

Ms Mason said that hospitals would still play an important part in mental health care. "We must get the balance right," she said.

"The proposal will include consolidating current wards and having a new inpatient facility for older age adults in the East Riding in a fit-for-purpose building.

"We will also reconfigure the current inpatient facilities for adults to make best use of our resources."

The changes are likely to have little impact on learning disability services or the number of staff employed by the trust, although staff may work in different ways.

The proposals are separate from the review recently carried out by the East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust, which included a review of the hospital services.

More information about the changes can be found at www.humber.nhs.uk

Have your say...

The consultation period runs until June 25 and comments can be sent to East Yorkshire Whole Systems, c/o Patient Experience Team, Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust Headquarters, Willerby Hill, Beverley Road, Willerby, HU10 6ED or via email:

eastyorks.wholesystems@humber.nhs.uk

Anyone preferring to comment through an independent body can do so via the Humber Mental Health NHS Patient and Public Involvement Forum, Titus Salt House, Newland, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RJ or 01482 472458.