The Independent Reconfiguration Panel has recommended that Gloucestershire Partnership foundation trust, Gloucestershire primary care trust and Gloucestershire County Council work closely to strengthen older people 's community mental health services and community mental health teams.

Chair of the IRP, Dr Peter Barrett said: 'The issue of the location of inpatient services cannot be considered in isolation. The local NHS needs to carefully consider how best to provide a full range of services to meet the need of older people with mental health problems in the county. Before any changes are made to the provision of specialist inpatient beds, community services and the community mental health teams should be redesigned and strengthened'.

Topics