Published: June 3, 2011
NHS reassures users of Burnham-On-Sea mental health centre

NHS bosses have this week reassure users of a mental health centre in Burnham-On-Sea that its services are not under threat.

Belmont House is based in Burnham's Technical Street and provides vital health assessment and treatment of patients through individual, group and family therapy.

Burnham-On-Sea.com reported here how several town councillors and members of the Burnham-based Windows Carers Group, which provides support to local carers, had raised concerns that Belmont House could be earmarked for closure due to funding cuts.

Reacting to the comments, NHS Somerset spokesman Paul Courtney told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Thursday: "It is not the intention of the Somerset Partnership Trust to 'close Belmont House and cut the existing services'."

"The Somerset Partnership Trust has had some preliminary discussions about the future of Belmont House because of concerns about the quality of the building for both patients and staff."

"These discussions have included the possibility of finding a number of alternative premises in and around Burnham from which to operate services in the future."

"Such a proposal could offer the possibility of services being delivered in a range of settings closer to where patients live."

"There is no question of the existing services at Belmont House being stopped or the building being closed before patient and carers views have been properly considered and alternative premises identified and services fully established."