The College's Statement on Hospital Closures

Extract

At its meeting on 26 October 1979 Council heard of the threatened closure of a number of psychiatric units and related departments and expressed great concern that the current economic situation might seriously threaten the maintenance and development of essential services for the mentally ill and the mentally handicapped. We wish to stress the need for the closest consultation at all levels between administrators and members of the College so that cuts can be made which are effective economically with the least danger of reducing the services to patients. This is particularly important where ‘temporary’ closures are being considered where the normal consultative processes may be by-passed. Our specialty is recognized as still being relatively under-provided in comparison with other areas of medicine. Furthermore, it relies heavily on manpower and not on expensive apparatus, costly drugs or other resources besides personnel.