MENTALLY ill patients from Leeds could be moved to Menston's High Royds Hospital and on to a ward which was closed last year.

But Leeds Community Health Council (CHC) says although it is recommending moving 19 patients from St James's Hospital's Roundhay Wing to High Royds' Litton Ward as an interim measure, it considers the move only to be the 'best of two very poor alternatives'.

Colin Perry, chief officer for the CHC, said they had been asked to inspect the Leeds Ward.

He said: "Because of the number of admissions and the environment, it became clear it wasn't an appropriate place for them to be cared for.

"Overall it creates a situation where instead of providing a therapeutic environment, it is creating tensions, stress and strains."

He said the transfer of patients to Menston had emerged as 'the only realistic option'.

Mr Perry said: "It does offer much more space, better observation and single-sex accommodation.

"It does mean patients would be further away from the communities in which they live and it is not an ideal situation, but we feel as an interim measure it is the best option."

Mr Perry said it was envisaged that the move would be for two years until outdated facilities at High Royds - scheduled to close in 2001 - had been replaced with new units at Leeds Infirmary, Seacroft Hospital and St James.

Meanwhile, an independent inquiry team will visit Leeds in June to put the city's mental health services under the spotlight after concerns were raised about conditions at High Royds and the Roundhay Wing.

The inquiry follows claims by a group of leading consultants that cramped conditions and understaffing have left the city's mental health services at crisis point.

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