Crowlin House in Totton saved for the time being

Health bosses had unveiled their proposals to close Crowlin House in Totton back in June as part of a range of cutbacks designed to save £2.2m.

But the Daily Echo has learned that Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, responsible for local health services, has now scrapped the plan.

Residents, staff and relatives are in the process of being updated about the trust’s plans and those working at Crowlin House are delighted the 18-bed unit in Calmore Road has won a reprieve.

Just a few weeks ago they organised a “tinsel and turkey” evening for the unit’s residents because they were so sure the unit would be shut by Christmas.

One member of trust staff said closure would have had “a devastating effect” on residents who enjoy organised trips and activities at the unit.

Another trust worker said: “We have been told that there will be a review of rehabilitation services in the future but at the moment Crowlin House is staying open.

“When we heard we were all shocked and speechless. We cannot believe Crowlin is going to stay. The patients are all ecstatic.”

Polly Cheeseman, whose son David, 51, spent nine years at Crowlin House before moving into a flat, said she was pleased the unit, which has 32 staff, would remain open.

She said: “I am delighted it is staying open. They have worked so hard up there and they have really nice people working there. It’s a lovely place.”

Anne Khan, 70, whose daughter, Soraya, 44, has lived there for more than seven years, said: “It is great news it is staying open. Not just for the people who need it but also for the staff.”

However, it appears the trust’s other proposals to close Rivendale, a 14-bed rehabilitation unit in Sarisbury Green, and the six psychiatric intensive care beds at the Ellingham ward in Woodhaven Hospital, Calmore, are still on the table. The 50 staff working in both those units will today find out about what will happen to their jobs if the units were to close.

The Daily Echo understands that staff will be seconded to other posts, such as forensic mental health and adult mental health services within the trust, until a decision is made about their existing jobs.

One anonymous staff member who contacted the Daily Echo said: “They have indicated plans to close Rivendale and Ellingham will be going ahead.

“We think they are trying to shut the units by the back door. The units will be effectively shut while the consultation period continues and people will be seconded in four to five weeks.’’ Trust managers are organising a number of consultation events on the proposals involving service users, carers, relatives and the wider public although exact dates have yet to be announced.

A trust spokesman said: “We are in the process of informing all staff and so feel it would not be appropriate to make a public announcement until we have had the chance to notify all staff.”