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Two possible outcomes over mental health services
LAST week I sent off my submission to the public consultation that is looking at the future of mental health services in West Sussex.
There are two possible outcomes, both of which would see the closure of a ward at Princess Royal Hospital and a loss of beds in Chichester.
The first option would also see the closure of Dove Ward at Crawley Hospital and the second would see the closure of Iris Ward at Horsham Hospital.
The PCT want to treat more people in their homes – an admirable target for those for which it is suitable to receive their treatment in this way. But my argument has been that some people should be admitted to hospital, even if only for a short while – it's just not advisable for them to receive their care at home. It's also better for their carers, who will gain a spell of respite.
I know for a fact that Iris Ward is relied upon by many local families with an elderly relative suffering from dementia and that's why I wrote to support it.
I was doing just that – supporting its continued existence and not advocating the closure of any facilities in Crawley – indeed, I'm aware that the north of our county already has fewer facilities for dementia than the south.
Services that are needed should be protected, whichever 'option' within a consultation they happen to fall in to.
Horsham Hospital is a trusted and, frankly, much-loved institution – a lot more so than the acute hospital that most people are forced to travel to – East Surrey, Redhill.
The possible closure of Iris ward is yet another example of a well-used service potentially being peeled away from Horsham with the result being that local people and their relatives and friends have to travel much larger distances.
I understand that medical practices change – there are different methods and different ways of working – but I also know when a service is needed and when it will make a huge difference to my constituents if it is lost.
Lots of people have sent off their submissions and now it's a waiting game. Local people who contributed to the consultation will know that they did everything they could to secure the future of Iris Ward.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -7 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: East
