Residents fears over new mental health unit

Residents living near to Birch Hill hospital fear that a new mental health ward would see more patients roaming around in the local community.

Proposals for the 45 bed unit have been put to the Council's planning department and whether or not they get the green light will depend on the decision of the Pennine Township Planning Sub-Committee, which meets on Wednesday evening (21 January).

Planning officers have recommended that the unit gets the go ahead, saying that 'the proposal demonstrates satisfactory parking and access arrangements and satisfactory security measures are incorporated into the design of the building.

But the Council has received 20 letters of objection from local residents, as well as two from local schools, and a petition of 433 signatures opposing the proposal. They say that Pennine Care, which is behind the development, has given no consideration to how the community feels about the development and that their views have not been sought at all.

Since July last year there have been 96 calls made to the existing mental health unit at Birch Hill. Meanwhile residents say that they have seen patients at the John Elliot Unit have been seen wandering around Wardle Village in nightwear, following children, and heard screaming noises coming from the unit.

Residents believe that the new unit will place the whole neighbourhood, which includes Wardle High School, at a greater risk of crime and other anti-social activity.

Pennine Care say that patients at the new unit would be detained, and not able to leave without being given consent.

The new unit would provide care, treatment and intensive rehabilitation for people with mental illness who are detained under the Mental Health Act.