An Angus MSP has said that the closure of a mental health unit at Stracathro Hospital would be a “catastrophic waste of public money”.
NHS Tayside plans to shut the Mulberry Unit at Stracathro and also the Moredun ward at Perth’s Murray Royal and centralise its mental health services at the Carseview Centre in Dundee.
A three month public consultation period started yesterday.
There has been anger at the plans to close the Mulberry Unit opened only five years ago as the main part of the £20 million Susan Carnegie Centre at Stracathro.
Last week Angus integrated joint board members asked for the public consultation to keep all options on the table, giving a little hope that the Angus and Perth units may still be saved.
Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Evans has said she plans to hold a series of events in Angus to encourage people to take part in the consultation.
She said: “As we are now set to enter the three month review period I plan to host a series of events in north Angus to publicise the consultation.
“Many people may either not be aware of the consultation or unaware on how to take part.
“I will be doing all I can to ensure that as many people as possible can have their say on the future of the Mulberry Unit.”
The Mulberry Unit has 25 beds for acute admission, assessment and treatment for adults with mental health problems.
A public petition aimed at saving the unit previously gained almost 2,500 signatures.
Ms Evans added: “I want to be absolutely clear on the issue of the Mulberry Unit. NHS Tayside should be doing all it can to keep the Mulberry Unit open.
“This is a fantastic mental health facility in an accessible yet suitably tranquil location that serves the large rural community of Angus.
“It opened in 2011 and cost £20 million. That is a significant investment and it would be a catastrophic waste of public money if — after less than six years — this unit was to close.
“I campaigned for this long before I became an MSP and in the hours that followed my election to the Scottish Parliament I made a clear commitment to do all I could to save it.”
When she was still serving as a Brechin and Edzell councillor Ms Evans brought a motion to Angus Council asking for the full council to urge NHS Tayside to retain the unit, which was unanimously agreed.
Former Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville said the closure of the unit would “bring shame” on NHS Tayside.
