Published: Thursday 12 October 2023
Updated: Thursday 12 October 2023
At last night's Full Council meeting councillors from across the party divide came together to unanimously support a motion calling on the NHS to return acute mental health beds to south Westminster.
What is the demand?
Demand for acute mental health beds in Westminster has increased, with 777 people referred for acute hospital care last year, up from 103 the year before. A total of 1,070 people were assessed in 2022/23. In Kensington and Chelsea last year 710 people were assessed and 446 refered to acute hospital care.
What is the current situtation?
At the start of the pandemic the Gordon Hospital in Westminster was temporarily closed and as a result pressure on St Charles Hospital in North Kensington has increased, with residents from Westminster needing acute mental health beds being sent there, meaning some Kensington and Chelsea residents are having to go to beds outside of the borough, possibly outside of London.
Moving the motion was Cllr Josh Rendall, Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, who said:
“The mental health of our residents is of the utmost importance to this Council. We are concerned with the loss of 51 acute mental health beds in Westminster and the consequences for our residents.
“We call on the NHS to reopen acute mental health beds in south Westminster to ensure that the acute mental health needs of our residents are met.
“We will be voicing our concerns to the NHS when they begin their consultation, and we encourage residents to have their say as well.”
The motion was seconded by Cllr Mona Ahmed, Deputy Leader of the Labour Group.