Crowlin House: Civic chiefs demand more facts on closure plan

The future of Crowlin House in Calmore Road, Totton, was discussed at a meeting of Hampshire County Council's health and adult services scrutiny committee.

But members said they needed more information before they could "properly assess" the proposal.

Staff and residents at Crowlin House are campaigning to keep it open (Image: Newsquest.)

The Totton-based Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust could decide to shut Crowlin House, which it says is under-occupied and no longer fit for purpose.

As reported in the Daily Echo, staff and residents have launched a campaign to save the facility.

Members of the committee include Totton councillor David Harrison, who questioned the Trust's chief executive, Ron Shields.

READ MORE: Crowlin House in Calmore Road, Totton, could be axed by Southern Health

Posting on social media Cllr Harrison said: "I am pleased to report that Mr Shields accepted we had not been provided with any real justification to support the closure plans.

"I quizzed him about what exactly was behind the plans.

"He said the building was not now fit for purpose and there were accessibility issues. He also referred to the difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, which is particularly a problem in mental health services."

Crowlin House provides temporary accommodation for mental health patients who have left hospital but have nowhere to live (Image: Newsquest)

Crowlin House provides temporary accommodation for mental health patients who have left hospital but require rehabilitation before they can live independently.

Cllr Harrison said: "I want to know why the Trust have failed to upgrade the building to modern standards. I would like to know why selling it off is better than repairing and upgrading it.

"My instincts tell me there will be an ever greater need for 'step down' facilities in the future.

"Why dispose of a facility when we know demand will increase? Wouldn't it be better to concentrate on dealing with workforce issues rather than reducing the number of facilities, especially as they are attempting to care for people with entirely different needs?

"We were promised a much more comprehensive report so that we can properly assess the plans."

Julian Lewis, Conservative MP for New Forest East (Image: Sir Julian Lewis)

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis added: "After a detailed discussion with Southern Health and other senior NHS staff I think the central issue is that Crowlin House provides valuable social care support rather than medical interventions.

"Therefore, rather than closing this excellent residential facility, the key question is whether it should be provided by the health service or by social services or a combination of the two. The danger would be if it fell through a gap between them."

READ MORE: Crowlin House in Totton saved for the time being

A county council spokesperson said Southern Health did not need the committee's approval to close Crowlin House.

"The role of the committee is to review and scrutinize matters relating to the planning, provision, and operation of the health service in the area. It was agreed a full report would be brought to a later committee in respect of Crowlin House."

A Southern Health spokesperson said: "Any proposed variations to NHS services are discussed with the local overview and scrutiny committee.

"We are currently at the stage of seeking views about the proposals and no formal decision has been made, or timescales identified.

"Providing a report to the HASC regarding this proposal is integral to the plan development and so has not created any delay."