To Halt the planned closure (as part of the NHS Cuts in Cornwall) of Longreach House Mental Health Unit, Barncoose, Redruth.



My goal is to prevent this closure of the only Mental Health Unit in Mid Cornwall that also serves as a Section 136 Assessment Centre, and the planned reduction of beds available in the South West for Adults going through mental health crisis.



I would also wish to encourage the NHS Mental Health Management Team to create a Unit for under 18's and to treat Mental Health on the same level as Physical health, putting more funding and resources into Social After Care for patients, that will in the long term, save millions of pounds in re-admissions.



Please Keep Signing...Keep Sharing...Keep Peacefully Protesting - and we will win the right to good health services throughout the country.



Please feel free to leave your suggestions of how the authorities can utilise our Community Hospitals to encompass caring in our communities. Using them as respite hospitals for our elders who can't be sent straight back home after operation in Treliske is one idea that came up at a Public Meeting at Heartlands on the 19th January. It would certainly take the pressure off beds.



*Update* 30/1/2017

As an update on the Longreach situation, it appears that the UNIT IS STAYING OPEN and no longer being considered for closure. This was confirmed by 'Dave Pascoe' presenter/director on the local station 'CoastFM' this morning, who had asked for a statement from a Council spokesman prior to our online discussion. However, until there is official notification in writing in the media that Longreach will not be closured for adult users, the petition will run on until April. As Dave pointed out today, it is raising awareness of the dire situation for the NHS in Cornwall. Continuing it, to press for retaining our Community Hospitals and creating a (Young Person Specific) Mental Health Unit in the County, as was promised in 2013, can only increase that awareness. (perhaps a Community Hospital building would suit the purpose?)



best to all



Roberta West