MPs disappointed at mental health wards axe

Barrie White • Published 24 Jan 2012 17:15

LOCAL MPs have expressed disappointment after plans to move mental health services in East Berkshire to Reading were unanimously approved.

Board members at NHS Berkshire agreed that services be relocated to Prospect Park Hospital in Reading, which provides en-suite single rooms and specialist care as part of recommendations by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust,

The transition to Prospect Park could be complete within 18 months, with services in Wexham Park Hospital in Slough possibly moving in six months, and wards in St Mark's Hospital in Maidenhead and Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot after that.

However, the move will depend on certain conditions being satisfied, such as ensuring £100,000 is available to pay for transport for patients and families living long distances away from Prospect Park and increase in community support for mental health patients.

For full reaction and comments, see Friday's Observer.

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