Major support for Henderson Hospital (From Epsom Guardian)

Major support for Henderson Hospital

4:32pm Friday 4th July 2008

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Politicians and ex-patients joined forces last night to pressure the NHS into re-opening a local mental hospital.

In April this year, the Government decided to temporarily close a 29-bed "therapeutic community" at Henderson Hospital due to dwindling referrals for its live-in personality disorder patients, aged between 18 and 60.

“Many hospitals whom we refer residents to believe the Henderson and the Henderson model is something very special."

Dr Diana Menzies

The future of the service now hinges on the feedback the NHS receives from a public consultation campaign, for which community members, ex-patients and hospital staff will be interviewed from September.

Pre-empting the consultation, Wednesday night's meeting at the Salvation Army Hall soon revealed local feeling.

South-west London and St George's Mental Health Trust chief executive Peter Houghton moved to assure attendees that transition arrangements for patients and staff would run smoothly.

Henderson Hospital psycotherapist consultant Dr Diana Menzies, said: "There is definitely a gap for this kind of therapy.

"Many hospitals whom we refer residents to believe the Henderson and the Henderson model is something very special.

"Some patients' need to be away from their homes as it's destructive for them.

"It is voluntary, but people must want to help themselves to get better."

Former patients have taken aim at Parliamentary under-secretary for the Department of Health, Ivan Lewis.

"The Hendo saved my life," one blogger said.

"The country needs more of these units, not to be closing them."

A decision on the service will be made once the consultation is completed later this year.

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