Mark Clenaghan, Head of Operations, South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust gave an overview of the report stating that 7,000 Merton residents are treated for a mental health issue, 250 will go into hospital, 30 require accommodation for a short period after the acute phase has been treated; this is what is currently being reviewed. The Norfolk Lodge accommodation is owned by a private landlord.  The current accommodation doesn’t meet the required quality standards. It is not suitable for mixed gender accommodation and does not have en-suite bathrooms.

Mark Clenaghan reported that eighteen months ago the proposal for Norfolk Lodge included a reduction in service; this is no longer the case the plans are now for a re-provision of the service.

A panel member asked what will happen to residents if the new provision is not ready by September. Mark Clenaghan said interim arrangements are being put in place including block or individual placements.

Panel members asked if the quality will be maintained and if existing residents will be required to move out of Merton. Caroline Farrar, Assistant Director of Commissioning and Planning said people may be required to move just outside the borders but not long distances away from the borough as this could have a detrimental impact upon their rehabilitation. 

The Chair said this issue was brought to the panel two years ago when a proposal was developed to close Norfolk Lodge, without consultation with those affected. These concerns about lack of consultation remain, the  Clinical Commissioning Group and the Mental Health Trust were aware of break clause in the accommodation contract, as well as the condition of the building. Despite this,  the consultation process was not conducted in a timely fashion.  Notice to end the lease was given in March but there is no alternative provision in place and people may suffer as a consequence. There are concerns that the voluntary sector may not have been sufficiently consulted to ensure they have the resources to support this work, also it is not clear if the ring-fenced funding is set at the level that it should be.

Mark Clenaghan said Norfolk Lodge has been part of two wide ranging reviews, but the momentum was not been built as it should have been. Approximately £650,000 has been ring fenced for step down mental health services which will provide more services than the current provision with Norfolk Lodge as there will be more value for money from the private sector.

The Chair accepted a question from Laura Johnson, Rethink Mental Health.

Laura Johnson said the closure of Norfolk Lodge has come as a shock, Rethink were invited to an informal working party in April. There is a cut in beds from eleven to six or seven. People in Norfolk Lodge have complex needs for example a service user can have autism and schizophrenia. Norfolk Lodge provides good assessment of need.  There has already been a cut in acute beds for mental health patients from 140 to 126-128.

The tender for the new provision went into the Wimbledon Guardian today and although it has been accepted that interim placements will be found there are concerns about where they will be. Norfolk Lodge has run successfully for seventeen years without complaints from the wider community which is evidence of its success.

Mark Clenaghan said they will be working with a range of providers, service users and carers to find suitable placements.

RESOLVED

The Panel were concerned that MCCG and the Mental Health Trust has already served notice to end the lease at Norfolk Lodge. It is important they work closely with service users to agree interim arrangements. There must be full consultation on the long term plans for step down accommodation. Also  there needs to be clarification on what level of provision will be available for this service.