Honiton: The Bungalow is under the threat of closure

THE Bungalow at Honiton Community Hospital is under the threat of closure, the Midweek Herald can reveal.

Devon Partnership NHS Trust has suspended use of the in-patient unit, which was due to re-open following urgent roof repairs.

A spokesman for the Trust said: "We are currently working with local health and social care partners to review services for older people with mental health needs.

"In particular, we are looking at how we can successfully deliver the government's national dementia strategy and provide earlier diagnosis and better support for carers.

"We will soon be talking to communities across the county, including East Devon, about how we can best meet the mental health needs of an ever increasing population of older people within the limited resources at our disposal."

Heather Penwarden, who worked at The Bungalow for 14 years, told the Herald: "Twenty-five years ago, as a young staff nurse, I was proud to join a multi-disciplinary planning team at Exminster Psychiatric Hospital, working on bringing a quality mental health service for older adults out of the institution and into the heart of the community of Honiton and East Devon.

"During the 14 years that I worked at The Bungalow, we developed a comprehensive range of services for sufferers and their carers, providing treatment, care and respite through one of the most difficult of life's experiences."

Mrs Penwarden added: "We live in an ageing population in an area of the country with a higher proportion of older adults and the services available for their care is diminishing.