Villa Ward to give way to new centre (Sep 04)

According to the Middy, Villa ward could close in 3 years to make way for a new centre in Crawley. Mid Sussex people requiring in-patient care will have further to travel, but plans are also on the table to increase investment in out-reach support to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions. The West Sussex Health and Social Care Trust has bought the Langley Green site in Crawley and aims to build a state of the art mental health unit there to replace outdated wards at Horsham Hospital and at the Princess Royal. Andrew Partington for the Trust says : ' These wards do not meet modern standards. They are cramped and unsuitable for renovation or redevelopment and so investment in new services is vital. Only 5% of people need in-patient support. The bulk of our services are provided to people as outpatients.' The new unit will serve Mid and North Sussex with added investment in professional outreach teams. Subject to consultation with the Trusts and the public and provided finance is secured for the building work, the Crawley unit could open in 2007.' JH