PROPOSALS to move a mental health vocational service to Worcester due to budget cuts has left users feeling duped by the trust.
The future of Orchard Place Workshop will be decided at scrutiny meetings on December 10, after the commissioners told the provider they must save £250,000 and make the service more accessible throughout the county.
The Worcestershire NHS Care and Health Trust is hoping that by centralising the mental health help in Worcester, people from smaller towns and villages will be able to get there more easily.
The trust said it had been working closely with staff and service users to ensure the Worcester base would provide what they felt was needed.
A spokesman said: “We recognise the emerging model represents quite a significant shift from where we are currently and the need to support our service users and staff through this and to give reassurance that the potential new model will continue to provide support which is effective, tailored, safe and supported.”
Orchard Place user Bill Hughes said: “I feel as service users we were duped and taken advantage of into believing that as long as we took part in a recent workshop the Trust would provide a centre in the north and south.
“We highlighted that we didn’t mind a hub for information but the Trust has decided to now only supply one centre for the whole of the county as well as provide outreach projects.”
Redditch borough and county councillor Joe Baker (Lab, G’lands) said: “This is yet again another Conservative cut being made.
“It is putting financial savings above vulnerable people’s health and well being which is the most important thing.
“It is very sad that this is yet another Redditch service being taken to Worcester.
“The people who use this service need routine and stability. They do not need the added worry and stress of travelling further, dealing with new people and the added costs.”
