Whitehaven and Workington MP, Josh MacAlister has asked the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust to show how Yewdale Ward closure would improve mental health services in West Cumbria.

The Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust has launched a consultation on Yewdale Ward with the trust looking to closure the ward due to staffing issues and the building itself.

The 16 bed mental health service is part of West Cumberland Hospital and is only service of this type in the area with the Carleton Clinic, Carlisle the closest.

Yewdale Ward would be replaced with a new community mental health hub in Whitehaven that would have 4 short stay beds.

Mr MacAlister said: “Mental health services in West Cumbria need to be significantly improved and I support the plan to open a new 24/7 community mental health hub in Whitehaven to focus on early intervention and ensure fewer people reach crisis point.

“However, we still need inpatient beds for those who reach that point and the only beds in West Cumbria are on Yewdale Ward. The ward is often full and the nearest alternative is an hour away in Carlisle.

“The four short term beds proposed at the new Whitehaven hub are not, in my view, a sufficient alternative.

“I don’t want to just oppose the closure for the sake of it. Is it the best service we can offer? Perhaps not.

“But I am crystal clear that unless the trust can demonstrate how they will deliver better mental health services to patients in West Cumbria by making this change then I cannot support it.”

The Whitehaven and Workington MP has spoken to the CEO and in the first meeting between the two asked him to lay out a detailed plan for how it would lead to improved services and how west Cumbrians who need to be admitted to hospital wouldn’t be disadvantaged, before starting any consultation on Yewdale’ closure.

The MP continued: “I’m disappointed that hasn’t happened. When we spoke again this week I asked him to pause the consultation and lay out that detailed plan. He declined to do so.”

Mr MacAlister then made his position on the proposed closure clear.

He said: “As I am yet to see any detailed plans which give me confidence that shutting Yewdale Ward would improve services then I will be opposing the closure.

“It is up to the trust now to convince me and the community that changes will improve access to mental health services for west Cumbrians.

“They have a narrow window to do so. If they are not forthcoming I will campaign very strongly and very loudly against this closure, using every tool at my disposal.”

Those opposed to the potential closure have launched a campaign on social media with a Facebook group called Save Yewdale Ward with the hashtag saveyewdale.

The Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust’ consultation is running until the end of December and can be found here