This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Reading Borough Council reviews mental health services
Reading Borough Council has revealed it is reviewing its mental health recovery services in an attempt to find cost savings.
The council is currently examining the care provided at Focus House, a CQC registered home which cares for patients recovering from mental ill-health.
As part of the potential cost-cutting measures, councillors are looking to change mental health services and ‘divert’ Focus House users elsewhere. A three-month consultation on the proposal has begun and comes as the authority faces a £44 million funding gap ‘due to government cuts’.
Part of the cost-cutting initiatives include service users at Focus House could be sent to alternative accommodation to make savings.
Rachel Eden, adult and social care councillor, explained: “The proposal is about changing the way part of the Focus House service is delivered but would mean particular changes for seven residents, so council staff would work closely with them to support them. This is not an end to the service known collectively as ‘Focus House’ but a change to the way part of the service is delivered.
"Unfortunately, due to major government funding cuts, the council cannot continue to support the existing service as it is."
If the proposal goes ahead the council said individual plans for patients and staff will be made.
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