U-Turn in decision to close Herts. rehab centre
By William Smith
A mental health rehab centre which had been earmarked for closure will remain open and refurbished.
The announcement, earlier this year, that The Causeway in St. Albans was to be closed had caused grave concerns to service users and their families. Community-based care was to take the place of this residential facility.
Hertfordshire County Council, which funds The Causeway, revealed its plans to close the centre to cut costs of about £530,000 from its social care budget.
This week the county council announced that the centre will remain open, continuing to provide care to people with mental health problems.
The service which helps patients integrate back into the community will now be upgraded. It is hoped in the future The Causeway will be able to take in 17 patients at one time, by developing a three-bed detached house on the site. This will be used to house patients with longer care needs – the current capacity is 14.
Chris White, country councilor, was at the forefront of a campaign to keep the centre open. This was in response to appeals from many service users over the closure.
‘The county council seems to have listened to public concerns and so the change is welcome and those who protested are to be congratulated’ said Mr. White. ‘I can only hope the county council will now listen to similar concerns on other matters – such as their bizarre decision to cease funding The Crescent.’
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