HAVE YOUR SAY: Mental health beds will move to Reading

Published 24 Jan 2012 15:15 0 Comments

HEALTH bosses have approved plans to move all mental heath beds in Berkshire to Reading.

At a meeting this morning of the board of NHS Berkshire PCT - the commissioning body for the county - members approved plans to relocate beds in east Berkshire to Prospect Park.

This will mean the closure of the mental health wards at Heatherwood hospital in Ascot, as well as those at Wexham Park Hospital in Slough and St Mark's in Maidenhead.

The move is due to also be accompanied by increased investment in community mental health services and transport for relatives and carers of inpatients who face longer journeys.

Dr Katie Simpson, the GP lead for mental health in east Berkshire, said: "Local GPs and mental health professionals strongly believe that inpatients get the best possible care and best outcomes when they are treated in modern, purpose-built single site hospitals instead of in smaller, isolated, substandard facilities.

"It is important to remember that the vast majority of people coming into contact with mental health services get the support they need in or close to their homes and we are investing more in these areas."

Will you or someone you know be affected by a relocation? Contact the newsroom on news@bracknellnews.co.uk or call 01344 422710.

For more on this story see the Ascot News, in shops this Thursday, January 26.

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This article appeared in Villager 24 Jan 12

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