Harriett Baldwin said, "I first wrote to Dr. Ros Keeton, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Truston March 11th to request a visit to Sheffield House. This followed my meetings with service users at Rethink and Malvern Mind in Malvern who had expressed concerns about the closure of the facility.
My request to visit Sheffield House was denied by Dr. Keeton in March. However, after the Worcestershire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee secured a period of consultation on the closure on April 15th, I once again wrote to Dr. Keeton to request a visit to the facility during the consultation.
This second request was agreed and I then offered a range of dates in May to the Malvern area manager,Martin Leader. Unfortunately the earliest date he could meet me was June 2nd. During the conversation I asked to confirm that this date would still be during the consultation period and Mr. Leader said that it would be. I was therefore shocked and disappointed to learn from the Worcester News last week that the Mental Health Trust has subsequently stated that the consultation ends on May31st. However, I am delighted to say that following my e-mail and 'phone call Mr Leader has now agreed to move my visit to May 23rd."
Photo: Harriett Baldwin outside Sheffield House.