Campaign launched against closure of adult mental health care home Crowlin House near Totton

CAMPAIGNERS are fighting to save a residential care home near Totton for adults with mental health issues after it was deemed no longer fit for purpose.

Crowlin House in Calmore Road, which is run by Southern Health NHS Trust, has 18 bedrooms which support service users who have left secure in-patient accommodation.

Staff support residents with life skills, social activities and work experience before they make the move to independent living.

However, the trust is proposing to close the service following a review.

An online petition has been launched by Crowlin House assistant manager Arzu Bilgen, which has so far received 325 signatures.

She told the A&T: “We only have 10 service users now as we are closed for referrals, which is hard to accept because there are so many people out there waiting for help.

“The ethos of Crowlin House is to support people for a short time, by focusing on their individual needs and offering person centred support, to enable people to feel more able and equipped to return to their everyday lives. Crowlin House is the only placement that provides that service, which makes us a unique and valuable service.

“If this unit is shut down, people needing the extra support will have to come direct from hospital and return directly back into the community.

“For people who do not have a home to return to, this would mean being offered short-term accommodation in local hotels, and then they would be responsible to find themselves a more permanent home to live.”

One patient, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Crowlin House helped me build confidence through their unwavering support and encouragement. I have been able to take on tasks that would have previously felt impossible.”

Another added: “For many of us, Crowlin House is not a service, it is our home.”

The unit was previously threatened with closure in 2009 as the trust looked to save £2.2m, but it was given a last-minute reprieve.

Cllr David Harrison told the A&T: “It is really important that there are good quality step-down facilities for people who had suffered from mental health issues who have previously been resident in secure units.

“I am not sure that closing Crowlin House is either necessary or desirable. It’s why I referred the matter to Hampshire County Council’s health and adult services scrutiny committee, where we will get the chance to quiz and challenge bosses at Southern Health NHS Trust to find out whether the plans make sense.”

A Southern Health spokesperson told the A&T: “The review identified that the estate at Crowlin House is not fit for purpose and that there are greater opportunities to provide more effective care and support for the residents within local communities.

“Our recommendation is to secure alternative support for the remaining residents to live more independently in their communities and close the care home once all residents have moved on.

“Currently this is a proposal and no formal decision has been made. We have been speaking with residents, their families and our staff to gain their views to incorporate within the final plan.”