A LEADING mental health charity has backed the Mail’s fight to retain inpatient psychiatric beds in Burton.

Mind’s endorsement came on the day it published a report which campaigners claimed gave further support to their case.

“We appreciate that with the increasing emphasis towards mental healthcare in the community, there’s hope that fewer people will need beds on acute psychiatric wards,” said Ken Builth, chairman of trustees of Burton and District Mind.

“However, it’s recognised there will still be a need for some inpatient bed service to remain.

“Given this, and in keeping with the ethos of care in the community, it would be preferable for this service to be kept in the community.”

The chairman also voiced fears about what Mind believes would be the outcome if Burton’s existing mental health unit, the Margaret Stanhope Centre, closes — the ‘preferred option’ of health chiefs overseeing a three-month review of these services in South Staffordshire.

“We would be concerned about patients, their families and carers having to travel long distances to acute wards in other locations, and it’s worrying that the distress caused by this could, in fact, impede people’s recovery,” Mr Builth said.

“It also needs to be ensured that any provision of home care is properly and adequately resourced before it’s implemented.

“It’s also important that the mental health services, both in hospital and the community, are regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the needs of the community.

“Any proposal to significantly change services must be carefully considered to ensure service users receive continuity of care and that their mental health will not be jeopardised.”

Mr Builth spoke as Mind released a report on acute mental health services in England and Wales which found that those in need often could not find a hospital place.

One psychiatrist told inquiry panel members of 10 ‘avoidable’ suicides because bed shortages had denied patients access to hospital.

“It is clear from the best practice identified in this report that institutional care for the acutely ill still has an integral role to play along with community-based care,” said Dr Matt Long, leader of the Friends of Margaret Stanhope Forum.

“The title of the report, ‘Listening to Experience’, could not be more appropriate and Alex Fox (South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust chairman) and his team will have to do just this when they will be treated to a wake-up call and a dose of reality from people with lived experiences of mental health at 5.30pm on Thursday at the Pirelli Stadium.”

http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/News/Mental-health-charity