LEEDS health chiefs have welcomed moves to enable more mental health patients to be treated in the community.

And they have sought to allay fears that the transferral of patients from High Royds Hospital in Menston into the community will not be carried out until new facilities in the community are ready.

Professor Ron De Witt, chief executive of Leeds Health Authority, said some people were concerned about proposals to transfer several places at High Royds Hospital into the community. He said: "This is all about extending the principle of care in the community.

"But I want to assure everyone that this will not happen until new facilities in the community are ready.

"There will be no hiatus and no reduction in our services for patients - only improvements."

Prof De Witt welcomed the government's latest policy announcement on mental health services and also revealed that extra cash has been won from the Department of Health for the launch of a new service for mental health patients in the city.

The initiative means more patients, including those at High Royds, will be able to receive their treatment in the community, without having to stay in hospital.

"We very much welcome the proposals put forward by the secretary of state for health, Frank Dobson, for a review of the Mental Health Act.

"The priority afforded to mental health by the government mirrors our own determination to continue to provide improved mental health services in Leeds.

"The health authority is working closely with other agencies to ensure that we maximise our efforts and it is committed to increasing expenditure on mental care services," said Prof De Witt.

He added the department of health had agreed to give Leeds Health Authority an extra £220,000 to launch the important new service.

"This means that some patients will be able to receive intensive treatment at a day hospital, along with some additional home support," said Prof De Witt.

He said the initiative had been put together by the health authority and the Leeds Community and Mental Health Services Trust as an alternative to inpatient care.

"It is an option favoured by many patients. Everyone is delighted that this new service has received the backing of the Department of Health."

Leeds Health Authority currently spends around £45 million on mental health care - representing 11.5 per cent of its budget.

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