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Mental health beds 'centralised' Mental health beds 'centralised'
(about 1 hour later)
In-patient services are being axed at three mental health units for elderly people in Gloucestershire.In-patient services are being axed at three mental health units for elderly people in Gloucestershire.
Patients at Weavers Croft in Stroud, Colliers Court in Cinderford and Holly House in Gloucester will be transferred to a centre in Cheltenham. Beds at Weavers Croft in Stroud, Colliers Court in Cinderford and Holly House in Gloucester will be transferred to a centre in Cheltenham.
The bed closures are part of a £10m savings programme by the Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust. Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust said the changes would provide patients with a higher quality of care.
The controversial plans were referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) following local protests.The controversial plans were referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) following local protests.
The county council's health overview and scrutiny committee said the closures would badly affect relatives who would have to travel further to visit loved ones.
'Negative impact''Negative impact'
The county council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee said the closures would badly affect relatives who would have to travel further to visit loved ones. There were also concerns refurbishment work at the Charlton Lane centre in Cheltenham would have a "negative impact" on patients.
There were also concerns that refurbishment work at the Charlton Lane centre in Cheltenham would have a "negative impact" on patients.
The Department of Health said that after carefully considering the IRP's review, it would be "difficult to sustain safe services in four inpatient units".The Department of Health said that after carefully considering the IRP's review, it would be "difficult to sustain safe services in four inpatient units".
It recommended that appropriate arrangements should be made to facilitate travel and access to the centre. It recommended that appropriate arrangements should be made to facilitate travel and access to Charlton Lane.
Our recommendations call for sustained and co-ordinated health and social care closer to home with improved in-patient assessment services Dr Peter Barrett, IRP The Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust announced last year that it would be cutting almost £10m from mental health services in the county.
It also said that the transfer of patients would be done in two phases while refurbishment was taking place. But the savings being made over the centralisation of services to Cheltenham are to be ploughed back into mental health care.
Patient safety is at the very centre of these changes Paul Winterbottom, Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust
The trust's medical director, Paul Winterbottom, said: "Our intention has always been that patient care is delivered in the best possible environment and that we deliver the best possible clinical outcomes.
"Patient safety is at the very centre of these changes. We want to ensure that patients are treated by highly trained staff, in modern, appropriate facilities."
Dr Peter Barrett, chairman of the IRP, said: "We know that for many people, including the dedicated staff, carers and relatives we have met, this has been a prolonged period of confusion and uncertainty.Dr Peter Barrett, chairman of the IRP, said: "We know that for many people, including the dedicated staff, carers and relatives we have met, this has been a prolonged period of confusion and uncertainty.
"Our recommendations call for sustained and co-ordinated health and social care closer to home with improved in-patient assessment services that will give older people experiencing mental health problems the expert treatment and care they deserve.""Our recommendations call for sustained and co-ordinated health and social care closer to home with improved in-patient assessment services that will give older people experiencing mental health problems the expert treatment and care they deserve."
'Disappointed''Disappointed'
The three units will continue to be used for integrated community day assessment and treatment.The three units will continue to be used for integrated community day assessment and treatment.
Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper said he was "disappointed" with the decision.Forest of Dean MP Mark Harper said he was "disappointed" with the decision.
"The Independent Reconfiguration Panel made some strong recommendations on access and the level of community services available," he said."The Independent Reconfiguration Panel made some strong recommendations on access and the level of community services available," he said.
"But instead of refusing to allow the closures until these have been carried out, the Health Secretary has asked only that they are taken into account as the closures are implemented. "But instead of refusing to allow the closures until these have been carried out, the health secretary has asked only that they are taken into account as the closures are implemented. I know my constituents will feel that he has let them down.
"I know my constituents will feel that he has let them down.
"I am very concerned about the difficulty of transport and access to the services that my constituents will now face and the extra stress, worry and cost which will fall on patients, families and carers.""I am very concerned about the difficulty of transport and access to the services that my constituents will now face and the extra stress, worry and cost which will fall on patients, families and carers."