Manchester mental health trust chiefs spoke out to refute accusations they were shutting Edale Health bosses say that closing a mental health unit will cost them £5m.House to save costs.
The centre, near Oxford Road, provides care for up 82 patients with conditions including dementia and bipolar disorder.
It is expected to close next year, when services will move to Park House at North Manchester
General in Crumpsall.
The decision by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust has been slammed by
campaigners and Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd, who say patients will have to travel further.
But trust bosses told the M.E.N. they had hoped to stay at the purpose-built city centre site – but there was not enough room to expand to cater for an anticipated increase in patients.
Sean Lennon, the trust’s medical director, explained they would spend £4.8m on a refurbishment of Park House.
He said: “We don’t have any space to expand, or even develop gardens.
“We looked at all the options and found that the Edale site was working less well than Park House and another at Wythenshawe.
“We are spending a lot of money on Park House. We think the refurbished building will improve care.
“We will bring old wards back into use and we won’t lose any beds.”
No patients would be moved across until the work has been completed next year, he added.
The trust is also in talks with transport chiefs to introduce a new direct bus service from Oxford Road to Crumpsall.
Mr Lennon said: “It’s not true to say that everyone will have to travel further – at the moment you only have a 50 per cent chance of being admitted to Edale.”
But he added: “We accept something needs to be done to improve transport links.”
Story By: Manchester Evening Reporter
£5m bill to shut Edale House mental health unit added by Paul Reed on
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