Mental health options

Newark must choose between a unit for older people with mental health problems or improved mental health community services, councillors were told today.

Members of Nottinghamshire County Council's health and well-being scrutiny committee met at Newark Town Hall to discuss the options for mental health services put forward in the Newark Healthcare Review.

NHS Nottinghamshire County's deputy director of communications, Karlie Thompson, told members that there was only a limited pot of money available for the services.

She said there was a choice between treating more older people with mental health problems in their homes, or providing a small step down unit at Newark.

"People are saying treat us in our own homes," she said.

The chairman of the committee, Mr Ged Clarke, said that was an inappropriate question.

He said people who needed hospital treatment would still require that care even if more community services were made available.

Assurances were given at the meeting that the savings from closing Friary ward, about £1m a year, would be reinvested in mental health services in the area.

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