'Shameful decision' to close North Devon Link Centres will put more pressure on NHS

The decision to close down mental health drop-in centres in Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and Bideford has been branded as ‘shameful’.

Ian Roome, North Devon’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, was speaking after Devon County Council’s cabinet voted yesterday (Wednesday, March 13) to close the Link Centres in the three towns, which he said ‘flies in the face of strong local opposition’.

The centres have offered support to people with complex mental health issues for 30 years and campaigners have fought hard to keep them open for almost three years.

After a series of consultations, which saw fierce opposition to the closures expressed to councillors, as well as demonstrations outside the centres themselves and County Hall in Exeter, the council took the decision to close them.

The county council has said it is facing ‘huge financial pressure’ and must get the best outcome for every penny spent.

Many residents have contacted Barnstaple county councillor Ian Roome, concerned that the closures will lead to more hospital admissions and greater pressure on the NHS.

Mr Roome, himself a former mental health worker, said: “Closing these vital mental health centres would be a shameful decision which flies in the face of strong local opposition.

“The results of the consultations have been clear: residents want these centres to stay. I realise this is not the result the Conservatives in charge wanted, but that does not give them the right to ignore the will of the people.

“As leader of North Devon Council I am all too aware of the shortfall in funding from our dysfunctional Conservative government but I suggest the county council follows North Devon’s example and prioritises protecting the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“This decision only serves to highlight how out of touch with reality the Conservatives have become.

“The inevitable outcome is greater strain on our underfunded NHS and on people struggling with severe mental health issues.”

Yesterday’s cabinet meeting heard the county council had been working with the NHS and the Devon Mental Health Alliance to ensure that replacement services were available and that clients would be supported to access those over a period of at least three months.

But shouts of ‘shame on you’, ‘ridiculous’ and ‘disgusting’ filled the cabinet chamber when the decision was announced.