A FORMER Kidderminster mayoress whose son is being treated for schizophrenia has called for proposals to close a town mental health ward to be scrapped.

Madeline Craddock said closing Harvington Ward at Kidderminster Hospital would put a huge strain on patients and their families.

Worcestershire NHS Health and Care Trust has launched a consultation into changing the way it delivers support for patients with more serious mental health conditions.

And as part of the plans, Harvington could be closed in favour of a more community-based model with patients requiring hospital treatment being sent to facilities at either Worcester Royal or Redditch Alexandra.

During their year as Mayor and Mayoress in 2013, Councillor John Aston and Mrs Craddock raised £12,000 for the MIND charity.

Mrs Craddock’s 49-year-old son Stephen has received treatment for schizophrenia for the past 15 years and is currently at Kidderminster Hospital, following stays in care homes across the country.

She said: “The proposal to close Harvington should not go ahead. It is rated as ‘good’ and provides an excellent service for patients, with hard working staff.

“Mental health patients with serious conditions need stability. While he is at Kidderminster, we are able to visit him and ensure he knows he has the love and support of his family.

“But if Harvington is closed, there are a lot of other people who’d struggle to travel to Worcester or Redditch to see their relatives in hospital on a regular basis.

“Not every patient is suitable for community-based treatment. Stephen has incurable schizophrenia and needs round the clock care. Harvington provides the perfect temporary measure while we look for a more suitable permanent home for him.”

Councillor Aston added: “This is another blow for the area and another vital service being taken away from our town’s hospital.

“I know that Harvington needs upgrading but they’ll probably need to spend money making Worcester and Redditch suitable for the extra patients so why not spend it at Kidderminster?

“This just feels like a kick in the teeth for people in Wyre Forest.”

A trust spokesman said the plans had been devised after months of discussions with service users, carers and other members of the community.

He said: “Part of the feedback we have received has been how conventional mental health wards are not always conducive to supporting a person to get well and to regain control and independence over the lives.

“What we have consistently heard is how resources should be more focused on preventing serious mental health issues in the first place, along with increased emphasis on the support we are able to offer someone at home or in the community.

“The new model would reduce demand on traditional beds in the way they are currently used, in favour of a more community-based, recovery approach. This proposed new model would ensure the beds we have are used more effectively for those who are acutely unwell.”

The consultation ends on September 28 and people can take part online at www.hacw.nhs.uk/amhconsultation