Distance becomes key issue in mental health service transfer plan

Concerns have been raised over “unthinkable” plans to transfer mental health services from Bassetlaw Hospital to upgraded facilities almost 20 miles away.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which manages mental health care across the county, has launched a consultation alongside NHS Bassetlaw CCG on the way the service is provided.

Under prospective plans, services currently provided at the Worksop hospital would be transferred to facilities in Mansfield, including Millbrook Mental Health Unit and the soon-to-be refurbished new Sherwood Oaks site.

Sherwood Oaks was taken over by the trust last year and will see adult mental health services transferred from Millbrook – near King’s Mill Hospital – to the former St Andrew’s Healthcare facility.

However, concerns have been raised over the plans and the prospect of a large journey for patients currently using facilities in Worksop.

Karen Seymour, a member of the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition, believes transferring the facilities from Worksop to Mansfield would be “devastating” for patients.

She said: “The cost of travelling itself is very expensive and the trains from Worksop to Mansfield aren’t that frequent.

“It’s going to be very hard for patients using the service to get to Mansfield, and the train station is miles away from the service.

“It’s one train and one bus journey at least.

“People will be left with shock and anger that their service is being taken away, for no reason at all other than cost as far as I can see.

“Nottinghamshire Healthcare shouldn’t be changing this service, it means so much to patients.”

She added: “The pandemic has had a devastating effect on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“There should be more investment in mental health provision. People need and deserve decent, local services they can rely on.”

However, Nottinghamshire Healthcare says the plans are part of a “wider programme of investment” which will bring services into the community across Bassetlaw.

NHS Bassetlaw CCG has launched a consultation for residents where they can have their say on proposals.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “NHS Bassetlaw CCG recognises that change to inpatient mental health services for adults and older people is needed to deliver safe, effective, high-quality services and improve the care experience of people who use these services and their families.

“Having considered a range of solutions, the CCG believes that a better service could be delivered in future by providing adult inpatient mental health services at refurbished accommodation at Sherwood Oaks and older people’s services within a refurbished unit at Millbrook Mental Health Unit, both run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare and located in Mansfield.

“The CCG now wants to hear views from people across Bassetlaw on the proposals so that any future service is fully informed by this conversation and shaped by local people.

“A final decision will be made by the CCG once local people’s views have been considered alongside other information, including the views of partner organisations and independent clinical advice.”

 

Article originally appeared on Nottinghamshire Live

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case

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