A DEMO will take place outside Kidderminster Hospital tomorrow against the closure of Harvington Ward.

Protesters against the closure of Harvington Ward are expected to gather outside Kidderminster Hospital at around 11am on Wednesday (October 26).

The Wyre Forest Labour Party and health campaigners will be in attendance.

Last week, the Shuttle reported how Harvington Ward would be axed as Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust bosses press ahead with their plan to revamp mental health services across Worcestershire.

The ward will close on November 7, as part of the trust’s new model for its services in supporting adults with mental health issues.

The trust has developed a more “community-based” model, following consultation with services users, families, carers and staff, aimed at allowing people to be cared for at home and reduce the need for hospital admissions.

Hospital wards for mental health patients will be retained at Worcestershire Royal and, for those requiring more intensive help, at the Alexandra in Redditch.

Mark Dickens, the trust’s lead for adult mental health, said: “The effectiveness of a mental health service should not be defined only by the number of beds, and while I understand that closing a ward may naturally feel like a reduction, we feel strongly that by strengthening the support available at home or in the community, we will deliver a service which better meets people’s expectations and ambitions, while providing a more recovery focussed stay in a ward when this is necessary.”