Trust approves plan to relocate mental health services to LVH

The Trust Board have undertaken to provide transport services for patients and carers experiencing difficulty in accessing the new services after a storm of criticism.

It has also recommended the Trust continues to provide Psychiatric Intensive Care (PICU) Services but moves them from the Downshire Hospital to a site adjacent to Acute Psychiatry on the LVH site.

Low Secure Services will also move - to a single site at the Downe Hospital. The proposals also make provision for more community places in the Downpatrick area.

The Trust has also proposed re-profiling Physical Disability Day Care Services, the development of Independent Living Options to provide improved community options and promote independence, as well as the development of two fit for purpose Learning Disability Day Care Services, one new and one refurbished, to replace three current facilities in North Down and Ards.

The third, and most contentious proposal recommended at the meeting, was to restrict the opening hours of the Downe Hospital Emergency Department.

These proposals will now go to the Local Commissioning Group and the Health and Social Care Board for endorsement and will then be submitted to the Department of Health for a final decision.

The Trust Board meeting was due to be held in Lisburn, but was moved to Downpatrick because of the strength of local feeling and was addressed by 15 local people, community groups and elected representatives.

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