Health campaigners and community leaders are urgently calling for the reversal of a decision by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust to close Yewdale Ward at West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven. The trust has declared that the 16-bed ward, which provides support for individuals with severe mental health issues, is “no longer fit for purpose” in delivering modern healthcare services.
The closure of Yewdale Ward is part of a broader strategy to shift mental health services in West Cumbria, with CNTW planning to open a new 24/7 hub called Hope Haven later this year. Funded by NHS England, Hope Haven is part of a pilot project aimed at improving community-based mental health support. While this development has been welcomed by some, concerns are growing about the removal of inpatient services from the area, which many fear will have a detrimental impact on local patients.
Josh MacAlister, Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington, has expressed his concerns in a letter to Darren Best, chair of CNTW’s board. MacAlister criticizes the trust for what he describes as an inadequate consultation process leading up to the proposed closure of Yewdale Ward. He argues that the trust had already made up its mind before an informal engagement was launched last year, and that no formal consultation followed. MacAlister also claims that the responses to the engagement have not been published, despite his repeated requests.
MacAlister’s letter highlights several issues with the decision-making process, including a lack of clarity on how demand for inpatient services will be addressed once Yewdale closes. He acknowledges the importance of community-based support, such as Hope Haven, but expresses concern that removing services before the new model has been proven effective could leave patients without adequate care.
“I have been clear from the outset that I do not oppose the shift towards early intervention and community-based support,” MacAlister said. “However, my concern is that the trust is taking resources away from an existing service before the new service has been proven to reduce demand.”
MacAlister has called on CNTW to pause the closure, publish the results of the engagement exercise, and conduct a formal consultation before moving forward with plans for a new service model.
Christine Wharrior, a member of the We Need West Cumberland Hospital campaign group, expressed similar concerns, warning that the closure of Yewdale Ward would negatively impact patients in the region. She noted that the acute ward at Carleton Clinic is often at full capacity, meaning patients may have to be sent out of county for care, which could limit family and friends’ ability to provide support.
“This decision is not based on patient care but on cost-cutting measures related to staffing,” Wharrior said. “West Cumbria is always playing a losing game.”
Local councillor Joseph Ghayouba also criticized the proposal, calling it “short-sighted and ill thought out.” While he welcomed the opening of Hope Haven, Ghayouba emphasized the need for inpatient care, citing the area’s high suicide rate. He urged the trust to invest in Yewdale, rather than letting it close.
“We cannot afford to lose that local provision,” Ghayouba said. “The trust should be investing in Yewdale to make it fit for purpose, not undermining it and making recruitment even more difficult.”
Mike Hawkins, another Cumberland Council representative, echoed these concerns, arguing that Yewdale should remain open alongside the new Hope Haven centre. “There will always be people who require inpatient treatment in times of crisis,” Hawkins said. “The new centre is to be welcomed, but it should be in addition to, not instead of, Yewdale.”
As the debate continues, local leaders and campaigners are pushing for further consultation and a thorough examination of how mental health services in West Cumbria will be impacted by the closure of Yewdale Ward.
