POLITICIANS have welcomed news that criticism of the planned closure of an emergency Swindon mental health facility would be reviewed.

The specialist "place of safety" suite at Sandalwood Court, Stratton, is where those deemed to be a risk to themselves or others are taken to be assessed by mental health professionals.

The Sandalwood “place of safety” is one of three such sites in the county managed by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Partnership Trust (AWP).

Earlier this year, AWP revealed plans to close it – meaning that patients would face the long drive to Green Lane Hospital in Devizes. Another suite in Salisbury was also identified at risk.

The trust organised a consultation on the plans. Councillors and mental health charities were among those who urged AWP to reconsider.

Last week, AWP confirmed that they planned to go ahead with the closures. Ann Mooney, chairman of mental health charity Swindon SUNS, branded the decision “disgusting”.

However, AWP this afternoon hinted that the decision could be reviewed.

Andrew Dean, AWP deputy chief executive and director of nursing and quality, said: “Following an extensive consultation on improving the provision and quality of Places of Safety suites, we recently published a paper on the consultation outcome.

“Since then the Trust has noted a number of concerns raised and decided to review further comments from stakeholders. The Board will formally consider the consultation outcome and Trust decision at its next meeting on the 27 September and announce its conclusions shortly afterwards.”

Places of safety suites in Swindon, Devizes and Salisbury will continue to operate pending that announcement in September, Mr Dean said.

The suggestion that the trust would review further comments on the planned closure has been welcomed by Swindon politicians.

Coun Brian Ford, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for adults’ health and social care, said: “I’m pleased that they are reviewing the consultation. I’m unaware of anybody in the Swindon area who gave a favourable response to their proposals. The whole council is totally against this move to Devizes.”

Justin Tomlinson, MP for North Swindon, said that he and Robert Buckland MP had written to the Health Secretary and the chief executive of NHS England to raise concerns about the impact of the feared closure.

He said: “I hope that AWP will consider these concerns and choose to overturn this terrible decision.”