D-Day for decision on the future of psychiatric units

The future of mental health service provision at three Tayside and Angus mental health wards will not be made until December, it was confirmed yesterday.

It was announced in March one of the three pyschiatric facilities could be closed as part of a restructure.

The closure of a unit is one of four options.

NHS Tayside’s board of directors met yesterday to discuss a new report – ordered after the March meeting.

The board had asked for more information and wider consultation, in particular from carers and patients using the services, before they made their decision.

The new consultation method was approved, and board member councillor Ken Lynn said the decision on which unit was to close would be made by December.

He said: “It was the right thing to do. The health minister Shona Robison had raised concerns about the initial consultation process.

“Whatever decision is made has to be the right decision for all three of the potentially affected council areas.

“This new consultation period has been a lot more efficient, and was definitely the right thing to do.”

The board also decided a contingency plan was required, in order to prevent whatever decision is eventually implemented from being affected by any potential financial difficulties.

Speaking to the board, Dr Andrew Russell said: “It is important that the board is as agile as we can be when coming to a decision, for the sake of the patients.”

The board approved an amendment which allowed for a contingency plan to be developed.