WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Harriett Baldwin today urged health chiefs to re-think
plans to close down the popular Link Nurseries in Powick.
The Worcestershire NHS Health and Care Trust is planning to shut down the
nurseries which are set in the old Powick Hospital grounds and are used to help
transition mental healthcare patients back into the community.
The site is used to grow a variety of produce which is sold to people who visit from
all over the county.
Sarah Dugan, chief executive of the Health and Care Trust, is pressing ahead with
plans to shut down the facility as part of a review of the way it delivers mental
healthcare across Worcestershire. Also under threat is the Orchard Place facility in
Redditch.
Harriett visited the Link Nurseries last week (Friday November 20) with
Worcestershire County Council leader Adrian Hardman and Cllr John Campion who is
cabinet member for children and families who is standing to be West Mercia’s Police
and Crime Commissioner.
All three discussed the issue with staff and service users after Sarah Dugan agreed to
look at alternative options for the resource.
Harriett said: “I simply cannot believe the speed with which the Trust has taken this
decision without allowing the statutory 12 week consultation period.
This week the Government announced an additional £600million for mental health services and billions more funding for the NHS, so
I am absolutely incensed that the Trust aren't even considering alternatives to closure.”
“I have written to Sarah Dugan again to outline an alternative approach.”
“I hope that the Health and Care Trust will do the right thing and work towards
strategy which benefits both patients and the local community.”