Dementia unit closure brought forward after staffing concerns raised

Inpatient assessment and treatment services services currently provided at Worsley Court in Doncaster Road, Selby, were set to move back to Acomb Garth in York in February.

But the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust says it has decided to work towards closure by the end of December after the Care Quality Commission raised concerns about staffing.

It said it was likely there would be a small number of patients who were not ready to leave hospital by then and the trust would discuss alternative inpatient accommodation for them with their families. Until Acomb Garth opened, men would be admitted to inpatient units in other areas of the Trust.

“We realise this means that families will need to travel farther to visit loved ones and we will do all we can to support them and help with transport," said Elizabeth Moody, director of nursing and governance.

The trust, which has written to commissioners at NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to request its support for the closure, said there were currently eight patients on the unit and on average one or two people were admitted per month.

Ms Moody said the closure was a difficult decision as the trust recognised the potential impact on patients and their loved ones.

“However, the safety and wellbeing of service users and their carers is our priority and we feel this is the best and safest option," she said.

“We will, of course, do everything possible to support people over the coming weeks.

“We believe that most of the patients currently on the unit would be better supported in a nursing or residential home and we are currently working with families and our partners in the local authority to identify suitable accommodation for them.

“Most people with dementia receive the care and support they need in their own homes, nursing or residential homes and we recently enhanced our care home liaison team to provide support seven days a week."

The trust admitted that it continued to be a difficult time for mental health services in the Vale of York, with a number of changes taking place, and it appreciated how unsettling and disruptive this must be for people.

"Local people deserve access to the best possible mental health services and we will continue to work with service users, their families and our partner organisations to improve services."

• Are you affected by the sudden closure of Worsley Court? Phone 01904 567132 or email mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk