The MP for Tooting has written to the chief executive of a mental health trust with concerns for proposals to close all mental health services at one hospital.
Sadiq Khan has written to David Bradley, the CEO of South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (SWLSTG), raising his concerns after it emerged last week they wanted to close services at Queen Mary’s Hospital, which treats 500 patients a year, and reduce inpatient beds across south-west London by 10 per cent.
The news made last week's front page
A review, set to transform mental health services across the region, proposes to axe services at the Roehampton hospital and centralise the region’s mental health services at Springfield University Hospital, Tooting, and Tolworth Hospital, Kingston.
He feared Wandsworth patients would have to travel as far as Kingston for treatment but may be unwilling to do so. He is also concerned more residents will reach crisis point and end up being admitted to accident and emergency.
Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton
He said: “Mental health services are already at breaking point. You will be aware of recent warnings from the British Medical Association (BMA) that mental health patients were being put at risk by such cuts.”
Mr Khan has asked for confirmation about what the proposals will entail for the provision of mental health services. He has also asked for an outline of the consultation process and whether an assessment has been carried out on the potential impact, on Wandsworth residents, of closing mental health services.
A local independent health watchdog, Healthwatch Wandsworth, will take part in the consultation and make sure people get a chance to express their views.
At their next public assembly meeting they will discuss the proposals for Queen Mary’s mental health services and ask questions directly to the mental health trust’s representatives. The meeting is open to the public and will take place on Wednesday, September 3, from 6pm to 8pm. The location is yet to be confirmed. To register email enquiries@healthwatch.co.uk or call 020 8516 776.
Last week we reported that the draft proposals were by the South West London Collaborative Commissioning group (SWLCCG) instead of SWLSTG.
However the SWLCCG, a partnership of the six Clinical Commissioning Groups in south-west London, is also working to change mental health in the region with a five year strategy. They were unable to elaborate further because, as yet, there are no site specific proposals.
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