Sign petition to keep facility open

I am writing to encourage local people to sign a petition to keep the Park House mental health facility open in Leamington. As some readers will be aware, Park House is the only institution of its kind in South Warwickshire and provides short-term accommodation for people suffering a mental health crisis, which is often life-saving.

I became aware earlier this month of the potential closure of this vital facility but, following a local campaign, South Warwickshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has now agreed to a review process which culminates in July.

While I am delighted by this apparent u-turn, it may only be a temporary reprieve. Despite making enquiries this month of the charity running Park House, of Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, and of the South Warwickshire CCG, I have still not been able to find out the reasons for the potential closure, nor what services would replace it.

I will be trying to get to the bottom of this in coming days, not least as users and former users of Park House are anxious to know what the future will hold.

As many as 25 per cent of the population are believed to suffer mental health issues at some stage of their lives, and I would strongly encourage local people to sign the petition to keep the facility open. Links to the petition can be found on my website www.lynnettekelly.com

Lynnette Kelly, Labour Party, Parliamentary Candidate, Warwick and Leamington