PM to probe psychiatric unit plans (From Daily Echo)

David Cameron to investigate plan to close Hampshire mental health unit

2:40pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

Prime Minister David Cameron.

David Cameron has promised to investigate the controversial proposed closure of a Hampshire mental health unit.

Campaigners said it was a “terribly important” development after the potential loss of beds at Woodhaven was raised during Prime Minister’s Questions at Westminster.

The Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (SHFT) is looking at three options to save £4.4m, of which planning to close both Woodhaven and The Meadows, in Sarisbury Green, is the favoured option.

If this proposed scheme goes ahead it would see the loss of 48 of the 165 acute beds currently available in Hampshire, with patients sent to other units, including Melbury Lodge in Winchester, or treated at home.

Conservative MP Julian Lewis, who represents New Forest East, has been fighting the decision, calling for an independent investigation of the statistics on which the trust’s proposals have been based.

He told MPs that only a “tiny handful” of the 165 beds had been vacant according to a recent assessment, yet it was still proposed to reduce the total to 107.

He said: “Given that I believe that the statistics on which this is based are inconsistent and unreliable, will the Prime Minister support my call for independent experts like the Audit Commission to look at those figures before those beds are closed?”

Responding, Mr Cameron said Dr Lewis made an important point. He said under the coalition’s health reforms a clear series of checks would need to be met before any facilities were closed. “I will very happily look at the issue he raises and make sure that the Department of Health engage with him on that issue,” he added.

Speaking afterwards, Dr Lewis said the cutbacks would be “a dangerous and unjustifiable policy to follow”. He added: “The Prime Minister’s interest in a subject is an extremely valuable weapon to have in any battle.”