EMERGENCY assessments for people in a mental health crisis have improved since moving to a ward in Devizes, say health commissioners.
The Bluebell ward at Devizes Green Lane Hospital is a place for those experiencing mental health crises that police officers respond to. It means they do not end up in a police cell or on A&E wards.
Bluebell Ward has a 'good' rating with health watchdog the Care Quality Commission and was praised for bring waiting times for assessments down and improving staff expertise.
The ward temporarily replaced two other health based places of safety, after Sandalwood Court in Swindon and Fountain Way Hospital in Salisbury were temporarily closed in 2018 having been rated inadequate in 2016 and 2017.
However there are calls to reopen a dedicated ward for people in a mental health crisis in Swindon.
A decision on whether to keep Bluebell Ward opened permanently will be made later in the year.
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