Report of findings published following analysis of consultation response on inpatient mental health services

The report of findings of a public consultation into the future of inpatient mental health services for people in south east Staffordshire is published today.

The consultation into the services formerly provided at the George Bryan Centre in Tamworth started in February and lasted for six weeks.

The West Wing had 19 beds for adults (aged 18 – 65) with severe mental illness and the East Wing provided 12 beds for people (aged 65+) with dementia and/or other mental health problems.  

The West Wing was severely impacted by a fire in February 2019 and as an emergency measure all patients from that wing were transferred to St George’s Hospital in Stafford. The wing was later demolished due to the extent of the structural damage. 

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) subsequently made the decision to close the East Wing on the grounds of safety and all patients were provided with enhanced support to be cared for in their own home or usual place of residence. 

The consultation proposal was that inpatient beds remain at St George’s, alongside the much enhanced community service provision that is now available in Tamworth.

Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation, whether they attended one of our events, took part in the survey or contributed in another way.

“The report of findings along with a summary document represents the analysis of all these contributions and has highlighted a number of issues we need to consider.”

A decision-making business case is in development following consideration of the consultation findings. This will go through ICB governance routes.