Cllr. Paul Doughty, Conservative councillor for Strensall Ward and chair of the council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, has written today to the Chief Executive of Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust regarding its sudden closure of one of three wards at its Clifton House mental health facility without having given any advance notice to stakeholders, and has asked for a full update on the situation.
Cllr. Doughty wrote: “It is with disappointment and dismay that it appears that none of the statutory mental health service providers or main stakeholders were made aware of this ward closure ahead of the decision. Nor, does it appear that there was any attempt to give detail or explanation of the closure ahead of the weekend. To my knowledge colleagues have still yet to be informed and there is nothing on the LYPFT website to give any indication....
“Can you please give me a full update on reasons, with detailed information, for the closure of the ward. In addition, why there was no detail given to key stakeholders in advance.”
Cllr. Doughty added that he wanted to be able to share this information with colleagues to avoid concern and needless speculation, but found it extremely worrying that no key contacts, including the head of the Adult Safeguarding Board or the CYC Director of Health and Adult Social Care had been informed prior to the closure.