Liberal Democrats in Haringey have reacted with disbelief to information that indicates that the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust is to open a new mental health day hospital, but not in Haringey where two day hospitals were closed just a year ago.

The documents presented to the Trust board on the 12th July containing a business case for improvements at Barnet Hospital appear to show that the Trust will be opening a mental health day hospital and associated facilities as part of an extensive investment in mental health services. However following the closure of the Canning Crescent and Kate Marsden hospitals in Haringey, the Lib Dems are disappointed that the new hospital is not being built in the borough.

The Lib Dems have campaigned for over a year to save the two hospitals through tabling Parliamentary questions and forcing council votes on the issue. However,throughout that period, Labour-run Haringey Council has rejected the pleas of service users and local Lib Dems to keep the hospitals open.

Cllr Aitken (Crouch End) comments:

“No one wants to deprive people in Barnet of a good service, however the needs of people with mental health problems in Haringey have not been taken into account with the closure of the Canning Crescent and Kate Marsden Day Hospitals last year.

“What is striking about the detailed proposals in the business case for Barnet is the complete contrast to the cavalier attitude of Haringey. Labour representatives in Haringey have failed to stand up for our NHS services.

“We have repeatedly said that these closures were foolish and it is time the Mental Health Trust admitted they made a mistake and restored day hospital facilities in Haringey.”