8:37am Saturday 18th August 2007
By Lisa Williams
Last week's announcement about the closure of Springboard Resource Centre has sparked concern among community members.
Kingston Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced the closure as well as a reduction of the accident and emergency (A&E) liasion service at Kingston Hospital so that South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust (SWLSG) could help pay off the PCT's £22million debt.
But people have criticised the move to close down the sheltered work centre, which trains people with mental health problems in subjects including carpentry and printing. Current Mayor of Kingston, Councillor Shiraz Mirza, gets his stationery printed there and the Royal British Legion uses it to make poppies for Remembrance Day.
The A&E liaison service, which identifies patients with mental health problems in A&E, is also being scaled down.
Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, said she would meet Kingston PCT board members to discuss the closure, and Edward Davey MP is meeting Springboard users on Friday, August 17.
A spokeswoman for SWLSG said it would find alternative work for staff and support for the service users.
She said: "We will be working directly with staff during this difficult period and aim to redeploy them elsewhere across the trust.
"Over the next six months we will also be working with each service user to assess their health and social care needs and to identify alternative community provision."
Reaction to the decision to close Springboard
Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park: "I know Kingston PCT is under huge financial pressure but this decision feels so high handed. There has been no debate, and when a service like this goes it is gone forever. All it can do is test one of the most vulnerable communities in the area."
Janet Nunn, relative of a service user at Springboard: "My stepson has Asperger's syndrome which means he has to stick to a routine exactly. He visits Springboard four times a week, and Mereway Centre in Twickenham once a week. They are both being closed down which is very upsetting for him. He has managed to stay off medication for some time, but I think he may have to go back on it now."
Edward Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton: "I am gravely concerned about how the closure of Springboard and cuts to funding of A&E liaison service will affect service users and may lead to many feeling isolated in the community. The PCT is providing no alternative provision or help to patients at all - unless you count extra anti-depressants, which will only lead to a higher NHS bill."
Brian Batty, service user at Springboard since 2000: "Springboard gives me a garden to work on and all the training and equipment I need. I have manic depression and the gardening is therapeutic for me. Going to the centre also lets me meet people and work with others, as I don't see many people in the local area."
Enes Smith, mother of a service user at Springboard: "Springboard has been closed down and moved around so many times and we have never ever been consulted. My son is slightly autistic but extremely capable. Springboard allows him to be out in the garden and work for NVQs. He likes to be busy and active, and Springboard is a reason for him to get up in the morning. Without Springboard to go to, a lot of the clients will get ill and be on medication."
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