NEARLY three years ago you were good enough to print my letter of appreciation to the Allan Gardiner Unit, Andover, for their excellent, professional care and for their personal kindness to my husband who was in their care for over a year. I enclose a copy of this letter.

You may imagine then my dismay and despair to discover that this unit is to be entirely closed in September of this year.

There has been no public consultation, and the people of Andover, not to mention those with a personal interest in the unit, have been given no opportunity to ask questions of gain advice on how the elderly and mentally frail are now to be cared for in the community.

Moreover the staff of the AGU, all of whom offer first class care and commitment, were given a vacancy list and ‘get thee hence’. It is true to say that some have been interviewed for (not given . . .) jobs in Basingstoke while others have made enquiries at our new residential homes in Andover.

However, the first option means travelling and the second offer a considerably lower salary while mortgages remain the same.

Most importantly let us now consider the effects upon the elderly and mentally frail.

Those most seriously in need of respite or residential care, for whom care at home is not an option, will now need to be cared for in Winchester, Basingstoke or even Southampton. This will not always be the carers choice but a decision made by the authorities, as a matter of necessity, for the safety of the ill person, their family and the wider society.

Many of our elderly are no longer able or fit to drive and will be expected to travel by public transport to visit their loved ones. It is true to say that we now have a free bus service to Winchester – but for appointments only – no visits.

The pressures and pains of caring for the mentally ill are more than enough without closing the only unit in our area that offered respite. I do recognise that, increasingly, people are being encouraged to care for the ill at home, but sometimes respite or residential care is all that is possible. The AGU was a safe haven where there was no other, in our town, offering excellent, professional care.

I have copied this letter to Sir George Young and to Hampshire Partnership NHS and await an explanation of the Trust’s actions and some details of how they felt they had communicated their plans to the town’s people.

The public now need to know what is to happen to the AGU and to receive reassurance that every effort will be made to cater for the needs of the elderly and mentally frail. There, but for the grace of God go you and I.

Mrs Sharon O’Leary, The Willows, Andover.