Totton: Southern Health reviewing plan to axe Crowlin House

Crowlin House at Calmore Road, Totton, provides temporary housing for patients who have been discharged from hospital but require rehabilitation before they can live independently.

In June campaigners launched a bid to save the facility, despite it being deemed "not fit for purpose" by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

They spoke out after it was revealed that the 18-bed facility had stopped accepting referrals.

Crowlin House is an 18-bed facility for people who have left hospital but require rehabilitation (Image: Newsquest.)

Now Southern Health and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), which oversees NHS services, are consulting residents, staff, and other stakeholders about the home's future.

READ MORE: Crowlin House could be axed by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

The possibility of Crowlin House staying open was revealed in a report to Hampshire County Council's Health and Adult Social Care (HASC) Select Committee.

It said: "We will continue to engage with stakeholders and will be developing the options in partnership with the ICB and aim to present the recommended option to HASC in May 2024.

"At this stage, the options appraisal is still being developed.”

Crowlin House is run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which is reviewing the site's future (Image: Newsquest)

A Southern Health officer told the meeting: "We are looking now to re-establish the referrals into Crowlin House to maximise the use of the setting.

"There are really exciting opportunities to make a difference for residents and move away from a more institutionalised place.

"We are looking at something that combines more opportunities for people to live independently outside of the residential setting when appropriate."

READ MORE: Civic chiefs demand more facts on Crowlin House closure plan

A Trust spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "As part of our engagement to understand possible future options for Crowlin House we have been seeking views from residents, staff, and other stakeholders.

"We will continue to engage over the coming months to develop an options appraisal. In the meantime, services continue to operate and we thank the staff for their continuing support."

Totton county councillor David Harrison added: "I am very pleased the Trust has decided to think again.

"Sometimes such facilities can suffer from a lack of maintenance over many years and their poor condition is used as an excuse to demolish or otherwise dispose."

Speaking earlier this year staff and residents spoke of their dismay after learning that the home could shut.

Service user Emma-Jayne Scott, 38, said: "We're screaming out for places like Crowlin House, they're few and far between. I'd be gutted if it closed."