After having drawn together an array of evidence from service users, carers and local residents on Haringey’s acute mental health service, Lynne Featherstone MP warned the mental health trust that any decision to close a ward at St Ann’s hospital would be premature in a consultation response on Monday.

Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust has been consulting on a proposal to permanently close the Northumberland Ward at St Ann’s hospital, and replace it with an increase in Home Treatment care. The Liberal Democrat MP has for the past month been hearing from a range of people about their experience of the Trust’s acute mental health service, including meeting with a focus group of service users and carers, and receiving over 60 responses from local residents. The overwhelming response has been one of great concern, with only one resident being for the proposed closure.

In her consultation response, Lynne Featherstone drew on a range of evidence that raises major concern about the quality of the current home treatment system. Issues of particular concern were communication failures between staff, patients and carers, lack of care and demoralised staff. She further presented evidence of an already high pressure on existing beds, and the great difficulties getting a loved one admitted quickly, unless helped by the police.

Lynne Featherstone commented:

“I’ve been overwhelmed and shocked to hear the many stories of problems getting a loved one admitted, of getting information on their care and that patients are often discharged from hospital without due notice and preparation.

“It’s clear from the many stories that the current pressure on acute beds is already too high, and that the home treatment teams are not coping with the existing demand. Proposing to cut the number of beds further and put yet more pressure on home treatment at this stage is simply madness.

“When I met with Trust bosses recently, I was given assurances that the ward would not be closed until home treatment was up to scratch. Now I hope they’ll take a good hard look at the evidence I’ve presented and stop this proposal from going through.”