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Bid to rescue mental health unit | Bid to rescue mental health unit |
(3 days later) | |
Lawyers are planning a High Court challenge to the proposed closure of a hospital which helps people with complex mental health problems. | Lawyers are planning a High Court challenge to the proposed closure of a hospital which helps people with complex mental health problems. |
Solicitors acting for in-patients at the Henderson Hospital in Sutton, Surrey, said its closure would have a serious impact. | Solicitors acting for in-patients at the Henderson Hospital in Sutton, Surrey, said its closure would have a serious impact. |
They estimate it would halve the number of beds available to people with personality disorder. | They estimate it would halve the number of beds available to people with personality disorder. |
The NHS trust which runs the hospital was unaware of a legal challenge. | The NHS trust which runs the hospital was unaware of a legal challenge. |
But the BBC understands that legal action to challenge the closure decision will begin in the next fortnight. | But the BBC understands that legal action to challenge the closure decision will begin in the next fortnight. |
The Henderson Hospital does intensive work with people who have enduring emotional and behavioural problems, which can involve them harming themselves or others. | The Henderson Hospital does intensive work with people who have enduring emotional and behavioural problems, which can involve them harming themselves or others. |
It used to receive income as a national service - but its referrals started to dwindle when funding was switched to local NHS trusts. | It used to receive income as a national service - but its referrals started to dwindle when funding was switched to local NHS trusts. |
Mental health campaigners say the service is vital for deeply troubled people. | Mental health campaigners say the service is vital for deeply troubled people. |
Lawyers claim there has been no consultation, and they want to press the case for a return to national funding. | Lawyers claim there has been no consultation, and they want to press the case for a return to national funding. |
Frances Swaine, from Leigh Day and Co, is a solicitor representing some of the 16 current in-patients. | Frances Swaine, from Leigh Day and Co, is a solicitor representing some of the 16 current in-patients. |
Huge impact | Huge impact |
She told the BBC: "We are aware at the moment that there are a total of 59 beds available in England and Wales for people with severe personality disorder problems. | She told the BBC: "We are aware at the moment that there are a total of 59 beds available in England and Wales for people with severe personality disorder problems. |
"With the closure of the Henderson Hospital, which has 29 beds, that leaves us with just 30. | "With the closure of the Henderson Hospital, which has 29 beds, that leaves us with just 30. |
"It doesn't provide then for anyone with severe personality problems to have an in-patient bed. | "It doesn't provide then for anyone with severe personality problems to have an in-patient bed. |
"Removing 50% of those beds would throw those people back on to other areas of the NHS at much greater cost - because the Henderson has a good success rate." | "Removing 50% of those beds would throw those people back on to other areas of the NHS at much greater cost - because the Henderson has a good success rate." |
South-west London and St George's mental health NHS trust, which ordered the closure of the hospital late last year, said formal consultations were still a possibility. | South-west London and St George's mental health NHS trust, which ordered the closure of the hospital late last year, said formal consultations were still a possibility. |
Peter Houghton, the chief executive, said: "The Trust is working closely with partners to develop new models - such as intensive short-stay beds - as part of a range of local community services for people with a personality disorder." | Peter Houghton, the chief executive, said: "The Trust is working closely with partners to develop new models - such as intensive short-stay beds - as part of a range of local community services for people with a personality disorder." |
The Department of Health said new services for patients with personality disorder were being evaluated in many parts of England. | The Department of Health said new services for patients with personality disorder were being evaluated in many parts of England. |
But Marjorie Wallace, of the mental health charity SANE, expressed concern that an "inhumane costing system" could force the closure of a unit which she called the country's only national resource for people with the most complex mental health needs. | |
"It is the equivalent of announcing the closure of the Royal Marsden Hospital for cancer patients or the Moorfield Eye Hospital. | |
"We can only hope that legal action to save the hospital proves successful." |
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