Croft may close (From Stroud News and Journal)

Croft may close

WEAVER'S Croft has been identified as one of the county's mental health units which is likely to close.

A proposal is expected shortly suggesting the Stroud unit will shut and that all the county's inpatient mental health care for those over 65 is transferred to Charlton Lane in Cheltenham.

The move is revealed in a letter leaked to the SNJ by a health worker. It was sent from Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust to employees giving details about the restructuring of services.

"People with mental health problems will have nowhere to go," said the Stroud-based mental health worker, who did not want to be named.

"I'm worried there will be less help out there for patients and people will go in for acute care and expect to be all okay in two weeks but it doesn't always work like that.

"Also, where will the carers who use the day centre there go to get some respite?"

The proposal will be put out to public consultation before a final decision is made.

A spokesman for the trust, which must make savings of £9.5 million in the next 12 months, confirmed a proposal was imminent but said at present the move would not threaten jobs.

"There will be a proposal suggesting the closure of Weaver's Croft," she said.

"The aim is to avoid compulsory redundancy and we are looking to re-deploy staff."

David Miller, chairman of the League of Friends of Stroud Hospital and Health Centre, said: "It is unrealistic to expect elderly carers from a large population in this side of the county to go to Cheltenham to visit their loved ones."

*A special UNISON meeting to discuss the county's NHS crisis takes place at Hucclecote Rugby Club at 7pm on Thursday, May 4. End 370 JD