The future of mental health services in East Yorkshire is under review with the launch of a public consultation today.

Humber Mental Health Teaching Trust is proposing to close some of its facilities at Bridlington, Goole and Cottingham, and instead treat more people in the community.

The Trust is asking the public for their views on the plans, which will radically change the shape of mental healthcare in the region.

Potentially, the most contentious changes will happen in the East Riding.

The proposals are to close either the adult in-patient facilities at the Buckrose ward at Bridlington Hospital or Bartholomew House, Goole, and move services to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.

Services for elderly people could also change, with the Waters ward at Bridlington Hospital and Mill View Lodge at Castle Hill earmarked for closure and patients transferred to a new site in Walkergate, Beverley.

The Trust says the changes will bring mental healthcare in the county up to date.

Lisa Smith, mental health divisional manager, said: "Services in the East Riding have been left untouched for quite a while.

"There are national initiatives we have been slow to bring in, such as improving patient dignity.

"One of the problems is our adult in-patient services cannot be completely single-sex because of the buildings we use.

"Our message in adult services is there will not be a reduction of beds or staff."

There will, however, be a reduction in the number of beds for elderly patients.

But the Trust says current bed occupancy is very low, with an average of four of its 10 beds at Bridlington Hospital occupied.

Staff from closed units will either be redeployed at new sites, such as the proposed building in Beverley, or be retrained to work in the community.

Campaigners for community health services say the proposals could mean Bridlington loses both its mental health hospital facilities. They are concerned it is another nail in the coffin for Bridlington Hospital, which could also lose its maternity and cardiac services depending on the result of a separate consultation.

Mick Pilling , chair of Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group , said: "I would say leave mental health alone. Why do they want to move it?

"There are new estates and flats being built in Bridlington, but it feels like all our services in this area are being taken away.

"As a campaign group we believe these closures are the wrong way forward.

"Mental health patients should be able to be in their own environment, where they can be visited by friends and family. Travelling from Bridlington to Beverley or Cottingham is too far."

There will also be a public consultation about Hull services.

The proposals for the city include using the trust's Avondale unit next to Hull Royal Infirmary as an initial assessment centre, where people needing in-patient care go for the first seven days.

They will be assessed and then, if needed, transferred to one of the trust's other centres in west or east Hull.

The trust also plans to change the structure of existing community teams from five across Hull to one short-term specialist team and three long-term patient teams.

The public consultation starts today and runs until June 25.

The trust will contact patients over the coming weeks and is planning a series of meetings and roadshows.

Sally Brown, of the trust's public and patient involvment forum, said: "I hope although there will be a reduction in bed numbers, the staff and money are put to better use and it will give us a better service.

"But we wonder how long they will keep open whichever adult ward they decide to retain."

People who want to respond to the consultation through an independent group can call the Public and Patient Involvement Forum on (01482) 472458 or write to them at Titus Salt House, Newland, Cottingham Road, Hull, HU6 7RJ.

A summary of the results will be published on the trust's website after the consultation. Mick Pilling , (Writes) chairman of: Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Action Group , What is happening to the Bridlington & District Hospital, there are so many changes peoples heads are spinning; these Trusts are taking many services out BUT are putting nothing in: we now have the Pharmacy closed at weekends people have to travel to Scarborough hospital for prescriptions? The pain clinic is closed? The eye clinic is closed? there are plans to remove services to Scarborough in the new consultation document; these changes do no good for moral for the nurses or doctors; patients are baffled where will it all end?  Will Bridlington Hospital become an old folks home?

Links

Humber Mental Health Trust....You can obtain a Copy of the Consultation Document from their Website; why not get one, see what you think??

www.humber.nhs.uk

03 April 2007
Proposals for a shake-up of mental health services are a further blow to communities, according to health campaigners.

A consultation document published yesterday set out proposals by Humber Mental Health Trust to reorganise services in East Yorkshire.

The proposals will mostly affect patients in the East Riding, with units in Bridlington, Goole and Cottingham earmarked for closure.

There are also negotiations in progress to provide beds for elderly mental health patients at a new health facility in Walkergate, Beverley.

But today, health campaigners in the town said moving facilities nearer to them would mean people in other parts of the region would suffer.

John Bird, chairman of the East Riding Hospitals Action Group (ERHAG), said: "We've got to look at the whole picture - we can't afford to be parochial. This might be okay for people in Beverley, but it could be terrible for people in Bridlington or Goole who have to travel long distances to visit relatives."

The trust is in negotiations with East Riding Council to lease space for 13 beds in a new care home facility being built on the site of the old Walkergate Primary School.

Barbara English, of the Beverley Health Action Group, said: "We believe community patients should be in hospital close to their homes and their relatives.

"It is not a good idea to send patients elsewhere at a time when they really need support andcare near to home." In addition to the changes in the East Riding, there will also be a shake-up of services in Hull.

Proposals for the city include using the trust's Avondale unit, next to Hull Royal Infirmary, as an initial assessment centre, where people needing in-patient care would go for the first seven days.

There are also plans to change the structure of community teams.

The trust has said the changes are needed to bring mental healthcare up to date and to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions.

Angie Mason, director of nursing and service delivery for the trust, said: "At the moment people needing urgent mental health care are admitted to hospital as it is often the only option available.

"Sometimes this is not appropriate, as it can mean long stays away from home, work and social networks.

"Introducing new community teams means we can help people resolve their difficulties through home assessment and treatment, as an alternative to hospital admission."