West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin today called for local provision of high support accommodation for those with mental capacity problems. And the MP has been meeting with local voluntary bodies to see what opportunities there are to work together on joint solutions. The call follows the revelations made by BBC’s Panorama programme into the Bristol-based Winterbourne View facility. A handful of patients from Worcestershire were housed at the controversial facility, but although they have been moved, there are no appropriate facilities in Worcestershire to allow them to be cared for near to their families. The MP has been talking to the county council about the possibility of developing such a facility in county. And she met with representatives from Malvern’s mental health community to discuss the problem. Harriett said: “It costs more than £4,000 a week to pay for the care of these patients outside of the county. It is financially challenging and it also places an extra burden on families who have to travel long distances to visit patients. “I met with Malvern Mencap who have an existing planning permission for a new development in the town and I will be helping them to work with the County Council to see if there is a way providing some beds in this unit. “Malvern has a number of good facilities to help mentally ill and handicapped people and I celebrate the work of voluntary organisations which work hard to raise funds and provide support. “At the same time, I think it is important that the local authorities work with the voluntary sector to help save money and provide the right solutions for local people.”