Conservative candidate meets with Minister for Mental Health to discuss future of centre
EDDIE Hughes, the Conservative candidate for Tamworth and its surrounding villages in the next general election, says he has met with the Minister for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield, and NHS bosses in a bid to “explore options” to reopen the George Bryan Centre.
Back in 2019, a huge fire destroyed the west wing of the Mile Oak centre which provided an assessment, care and treatment service for working age adults in an acute state of mental illness and a mental health assessment and treatment service for people aged 65 and over.
The Herald reported at the end of last year that it had been decided to make temporary changes permanent following the fire at the Mile Oak mental health centre.
It came after Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board’s approval of the recommendation to permanently maintain inpatient mental health services at St George’s Hospital, Stafford, supported by an enhanced community offer.
Mr Hughes said: “It’s been five years since the fire at the George Bryan Centre. Following the unfortunate decision to move the mental health provision to Stafford, it is surely about time that local people benefit from health services on this site.
“I’m determined to push for the building to be reopened and used to provide much needed services for local people as soon as possible.
“I have been contacting and meeting with NHS bosses to explore what options are available.
“I recently contacted Stephen Posey, Chief Executive of Derby and Burton NHS Trust, to arrange a meeting and I’ll be following up with the Integrated Care Board, which oversees primary care services.
“Please let me know your thoughts on the future of the George Bryan Centre.”
Mr Hughes is also encouraging local people to fill in his online survey about the future of the George Bryan Centre at https:// campaign.eddiehughes.co.uk/ campaigns.
Last year, Chris Bird, interim chief transformation officer for the ICB, explained: “Making sure people get the right mental health care in their local community is our priority, but when someone needs to be admitted to hospital for their mental health, it is important they do so in the most appropriate facilities.
“The fire at the George Bryan Centre forced us to review how we deliver these services.
“There is now much improved mental health provision in the area impacted, and that means inpatient provision is only required in the most serious cases.
“We have accepted that this means patients who require inpatient treatment are best served by St George’s Hospital in Stafford which has been used as an interim measure since 2019.
“Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has enhanced local community mental health services for people experiencing severe mental illness and/or dementia.
“The intention has been to provide high-quality services as close to home as possible, deliver care focused on recovery and independence and only admit patients to hospital when this is absolutely necessary and in their best interests. This aligns with national policy.
“Clinical evidence is that people make a better recovery if they are able to retain independence in their own home.”