I HAVE been following recent articles in The Press concerning the fortunes of The Retreat. They make such sad reading. How can it have come to this?

The Retreat has been a well-respected provider of specialist care for over 200 years.

Any health professional will have read about the innovative ‘moral treatment’ introduced by the Quaker founders of The Retreat: it is in all the textbooks.

In an age when people with mental illness were routinely chained, beaten, starved and degraded, The Retreat was welcoming patients and treating them with kindness and dignity.

The Retreat has earned an excellent reputation, over two centuries, and is still known around the world.

I count myself fortunate to have worked at The Retreat for many years, before moving on to work for the NHS.

The Retreat encouraged and supported me in going on to train as an occupational therapist. It was a challenging but amazing place to work. I had so many wonderful colleagues in the occupational therapy department, and around the wider hospital.

My heart goes out to the patients who may be losing their homes, and leaving the staff that they trust and respect. I am also very sad for the staff whose jobs are under threat.

Can nothing be done to prevent the loss of so many valuable hospital beds?

It seems to fly in the face of reason, when there is such a desperate need for skilled practitioners, experienced in helping people with complex mental health needs.

Please let’s not lose another hospital in York.

Once it has gone, it would never be replaced.

Alicia Short,

Chestnut Grove, York