Place of safety unit temporarily closed by Swindon CCG

Full story at Swindon Advertiser 11 January 2018

A SWINDON mental health suite will be closed for a year, it has been revealed.

The place of safety suite at Sandalwood Court, where people in the midst of a mental health crisis can be taken, will close temporarily later this year. Detainees will be taken to the closest suite in Devizes.

Campaigners have criticised the temporary closures as “disappointing”.

The moves follow rule changes that has cuts the time someone can be held under Section 135/6 of the Mental Health Act from 72 hours to 24 – adding pressure on skilled staff to see detainees faster.