The closure of eight beds for people with addictions at Menston's High Royds Hospital will not lead to a drop in standards, mental health chiefs have insisted.

As part of a re-provision of services, a spokesman for the Leeds Community Mental Health Services Teaching NHS Trust said community services to help people with drug problems and day services for people with mental health problems are being developed. He added that the workload of two consultants has also been moved from High Royds to the Roundhay Wing of St James's Hospital in Leeds, which involved transferring another 13 beds. There are further proposals to increase the availability of special-care facilities at High Royds, reducing pressure on other acute mental-health wards.

The spokesman, reacting to concerns from Leeds Community Health Council which fears a reduction in the standard of services, said: "It must be recognised that these changes are taking place in the context of severe financial pressures on the trust.

"The trust is in discussion with the health authority on the best way to meet the cost-improvement targets set for this financial year.

" Every effort is being made to tackle the problem through reduced management costs and non-staff expenditure."

The spokesman continued: "Detailed discussions are now being held with consultants and the Community Health Council concerning the impact of these changes and the development of community services which will enable the current level of service to continue to be provided."

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