Labour’s  Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, has ordered the closure of the Maudsley Emergency Clinic.

This is a hugely disappointing decision by the Government. The Campaign for the Maudsley Clinic had the support of all parties and wide sections of the community. No one really believes  that the best way to provide emergency mental health services in our area is via a single small room attached to an Accident and Emergency Department.

Worse, Patricia Hewitt has given the go ahead before proper details of the new service provision are in place.  It looks as though there will be room for a single patient to be assessed before being sent on their way. In contrast, the Maudsley Clinic had room for a number of patients and the facilities to keep them in if their situation required.

The Chair of Southwark’s Health Scrutiny committee, Cllr David Noakes has rightly posed the following questions :-          Although Ms Hewitt refers to the capital funding for the new service being in place, can the same be said for the revenue funding?-          Will the new service remain in place whatever the pressures of the A&E department or will busy times lead to a loss of provision? -          Will suitable doctors, nurses and other staff be available 24 hours a day for this new service?”

Finally, local councillors are seeking an assurance that the new service will be open before the Maudsley Clinic closes. In the meantime, we will continue with our plans to hold a debate at Council Assembly next week and to seek to secure all party backing for our position against this decision.

Coming as it does hot on the heals of the decision to close Dulwich Hospital, Labour’s 1997 election pledge to ’save the NHS’ is looking increasingly hollow.