A MENTAL health ward at Kidderminster Hospital could be axed if proposals to revamp services across Worcestershire are approved.

Harvington Ward could be closed by the end of the year, as Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust looks to change the way Mental Health Services across Worcestershire work.

The trust and local healthcare commissioners have launched a consultation into the future of some of the services which support those experiencing more serious mental health difficulties.

But the trust confirmed that Harvington could close as part of the shake-up, which trust bosses say is aimed at supporting more people in the community with early support and recovery.

A worried resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Shuttle: “I am concerned that there is very little public knowledge about what is happening.

“People in Kidderminster need to know about it and voice their concerns about the closure of Harvington Ward.

“Family and relatives who visit people at Harvington will have to travel a long way. They will now have to travel to Redditch or Worcester. People on that ward want visitors.

“I have a lack of confidence in the new model that they are proposing – is it going to cover the needs of people with mental health problems and their families?”

On the online consultation survey, it reads: “In order to reduce inpatient wards, and make sure they have a clear function to provide assessment and treatment we are proposing an intensive, seven-day assessment ward and a separate treatment ward.

“The assessment ward would be in Worcester – Holt Ward – and the treatment ward would be in Redditch – Hillcrest Ward.

“This would ensure those undergoing assessment have access to other facilities on the Worcester site.

“It would also ensure that we could provide the clinically required bed ratio of one assessment bed to every two treatment beds that is required for this approach.

“The proposal would see the closure of Harvington Ward.”

When asked if Harvington Ward would close, a spokesman for the trust said: “Obviously the consultation includes some proposals only at this stage which have been informed by months of engagement with current and past patients – one of the proposals is to reduce from three wards to two but to make admissions more effective and recovery focused to reduce lengths of stay – again these are themes from the recent engagement we have done.

“Of the three wards, Harvington requires fairly costly work to make improvements highlighted in a recent CQC inspection, although we have to stress nothing has been decided and we want as many thoughts as possible.

“This consultation is about secondary care services, but it has be viewed in wider context of the improvements made to our primary care services, such as Worcestershire Healthy Minds and strengthening community services.”

The proposals which form part of the consultation have been informed by months of engagement with those who currently or have previously used mental health services, as well as carers, members of the wider community and staff,

There is also an online survey, as well as consultation document outlining proposals on the trust’s website hacw.nhs.uk/amhconsultation.

There will also be a consultation event held at Simply Limitless in Kidderminster on September 19 between 2pm and 4pm. Attendance must be confirmed in advance by emailing whcnhs.amhldsdu@nhs.net or by calling 01905 760222.