Specialist Dudley mental health hospital facing closure
A hospital caring and treating people for psychological problems, including dementia, has been earmarked for closure.
Birch Day Hospital, based in the grounds of Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley, will close under plans which have gone out for consultation.
Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) bosses want the care to be carried out in the community, rather than the hospital setting.
It comes as the group is also conducting a review into services which are no longer 'value for taxpayers' money', with it needing to save £14 million this financial year.
A spokesperson from Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, said: “We are, together with our local health partner, Dudley Clinical Commissioning Group, looking at ways we can improve the services we offer to patients and bring care closer to home.
"The proposal to close Birch Day Hospital outlines alternative options for how we deliver our services including the introduction of an older adult mental health home treatment service.
"This will bring care closer to home and potentially mean assessment, support and treatment for mental health patients seven days a week and up to three-times-a-day visits when required."
The proposal has attracted opposition. One person, who did not want to be named, said: "The closure of this centre will leave elderly, mentally ill patients vulnerable."
A public meeting and drop in session will be held at the Dell Stadium, in Bryce Road, Pensnett, on the issue on July 11 at 3.30pm.
