A WEST Cumbrian MP has called on the mental health trust to call off the proposed closure of a mental health ward in Whitehaven, saying he is 'gravely concerned' about the potential loss of the facility.
The Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) has this week announced that a new 24/7 community mental health hub in Whitehaven, at the old Halifax at the bottom of King Street, will be named Hope Haven.
But Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister has said that while he welcomes the new facility, he is 'gravely concerned' about the proposed closure of the nearby Yewdale Ward - and has called on the Trust to 'pause its closure'.
He said: "I am really excited about this new facility and the range of early intervention services that will be provided to address the serious mental health challenges we face in west Cumbria.
"However, I remain gravely concerned about the proposed closure of Yewdale Ward and will continue urging the Trust to stop this closure unless and until they can demonstrate that their new service delivery model can reduce demand for acute inpatient beds below the number of beds they’re planning to provide at the new hub."
In a letter seen by the Whitehaven News, the MP asked the Trust to address four key points, following a meeting they had last week.
- Detail how the new hub will be resourced beyond the two-year NHS England funded pilot.
- Provide further information on the services that will be offered at the hub and how it will be managed in a way that improves access to mental health services rather than simply sign posting people.
- Explain why, when data show that on average 6-7 west Cumbrian patients reside on Yewdale Ward at any given time, the new hub only has four short-term beds. Can’t there be more?
- Pause the plan to close Yewdale Ward until the new model of care can be shown to have reduced demand for beds in the area below the level provided at the new hub.
The Yewdale Ward at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven currently provides support for up to 16 men and women with severe mental health problems who need treatment in hospital.
James Duncan, chief executive at CNTW, said: "We were pleased to be able to meet with Josh MacAlister MP recently. We're excited to start sharing more information soon about what the hub will offer, which will include a range of support services located together and offering outreach into various communities.
"Our engagement process on the future of services in West Cumbria is still open, and we welcome all of the input we’ve received so far as part of that process.
"We will respond fully to the issues raised by Josh in his letter once the engagement exercise is complete."
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