Totton: Crowlin House could be axed by Southern Health

Staff and service users have launched a bid to save Crowlin House, which has been judged "not fit for purpose" by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Crowlin House provides support for mental health patients who have been discharged from hospital but have nowhere to live.

Emma-Jayne Scott is one of the service users calling for Crowlin House to be kept open (Image: Newsquest)

The threat hanging over the 18-bed facility at Calmore Road, Totton, has dismayed the people who live and work there.

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Assistant manager Arzu Bilgen said: "This place has so much potential. People are crying out for the sort of help we provide and it would be a great shame if it closed.

"We get two or three calls a week asking if we are open for referrals and we have to say we're not.

"We support people for as long as they need it. Some of them would really struggle if they had to go somewhere else.

"Our new manager is amazing and has really turned things around. We'd love Southern Health to postpone its decision and give us a year to show what we can do."

Lee Aitchison is one of the service users calling for Crowlin House to be kept open (Image: Newsquest.)

Lee Aitchison, 46, has lived in the unit for about four years.

He said: "Crowlin House is like a refuge for me. I feel secure here - it's saved me from a bad world and put me in a good place.

"Getting ridding of it would mean there was less help for people."

Fellow resident Emma-Jayne Scott, 38, added: "The staff are always approachable. I feel I can always go to them and say I'm struggling or I'm not having a good day.

"We're screaming out for places like Crowlin House, they're few and far between, and I'd be gutted if it closed."

Edward Medley is one of the service users calling for Crowlin House to be kept open (Image: Newsquest.)

Edward Medley, 64, added: "One of the things I like about this place is that people treat me like a human being. I don't know what I'll do if it closes."

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A Southern Health spokesperson cited the outcome of a recent review.

"The review identified that Crowlin House is not fit for purpose and that there are greater opportunities to provide more effective care and support for the residents within local communities.

"Many of the residents have already moved on to other settings and are experiencing a greater level of independence."

Southern Heath is due to discuss the future of Crowlin House on Tuesday.

The Southern Health statement in full:

“Together with the Integrated Care Board we have carried out a joint review of the current and future needs of people who require mental health rehabilitation, which has included the Crowlin House service, a care home in Calmore.

“The review identified that the estate at Crowlin House is not fit for purpose and that there are greater opportunities to provide more effective care and support for the residents within local communities.

“We recognise and value the fantastic work that the staff team at Crowlin House have provided over many years, with dedication, compassion and care.

“Many of the previous care home residents have already moved on to other settings and are experiencing a greater level of independence. Our joint recommendation is to secure alternative support for the remaining residents to live more independently in their communities and close the care home once all residents have moved on, and to further develop specialist community teams and supported housing.

“Currently this is a proposal and no formal decision has been made. We have been speaking with residents, their families and our staff, to gain their views to incorporate within the final plan, and for them to understand the proposal and support them through any potential changes.”