Independent on Sunday 30.12.2007
http://comment.independent.co.uk/letters/article3289202.ece
Letters:
Best treatment for personality disorder
Sir: Jeremy Laurance's article (18 December) gives the misleading
impression that the kind of people with a complex personality disorder
benefiting from the treatment offered at the Henderson Hospital in
Sutton will no longer be able to get the treatment they need if it closes.
This is not true. Since 2003, in line with the Department of Health's
guidance "Personality Disorder: no longer a diagnosis of exclusion",
mental health trusts and primary care trusts throughout England have
been developing specialist multi-disciplinary personality disorder teams
and new, specialist day-patient services for people with personality
disorder. This early intervention, preventative, out-patient approach is
considered best practice.
But there is a continuing need for specialist in-patient services for a
small minority of people suffering from personality disorder and there
are other residential units that provide this. This Trust is actively
working with commissioners to develop the full range of services for
people with personality disorder and to ensure present residents of the
Henderson can be offered alternative services where necessary.
Peter Houghton
Chief Executive
Dr Ben Nereli
Medical Director
South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London SW17
Sir: The closure of the Henderson Hospital is indeed "inhumane". I work
at Main House where I have seen at first hand the positive difference
residential treatment can make to people with a diagnosis of personality
disorder. The cost of closing these facilities will soon become apparent
when patients start using other services within the NHS and the
judiciary. This closure represents very short-sighted thinking and is
indicative of the lack of investment in mental health.
Andy Vant
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
--
Dr. Craig Fees, RMSA
Honorary Director,
Institute for the History and Work of Therapeutic Environments
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Hosted by the Planned Environment Therapy Trust"
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