ANOTHER counselling group based at Halton Hospital faces an uncertain future after being told to leave.

The voluntary Patient and Relative Support Group (PRS), which was set up as a befriending service to patients and relatives in the wake of the Hillsborough tragedy, currently operates from the hospital's Pine Day Unit.

The group has evolved towards offering a professional therapeutic counselling service since inception.

But following meetings with the hospital's rehabilitation directorate to discuss this change in role, it was decided that the PRS should operate from outside the hospital.

This is a fate shared a psychotherapy group which used the Pine Day Unit, as featured in the World.

But finding new premises is proving difficult, said PRS spokesperson Lyn Packer.

"We have enjoyed and appreciated the help from the hospital over the years, which has provided a discreet counselling room with facilities and a 24-hour answering service as well as the valued assistance from the general office."

Lyn acknowledges that the hospital has played a prominent part in the PRS' growth and says the group needs similar premises to work from.

She said: "However, we have received little funding during this expansion, other than £1,000 for two consecutive years from North Cheshire Health.

"This lack of financial support has left us vulnerable in seeking new premises to continue this reputable and valid free service."

Lyn said Halton Hospital has been made aware of this and has allowed the PRS to continue in its present spot until a new location has been found.

"We hope this will eliminate speculation and concern for those in long-term therapy and for those receiving specialist bereavement counselling," said Lyn.

The group needs volunteers, particularly those with an interest in fund-raising and office work.

Contact Lyn on 01928 714 567 extension 3605 or write to Halton Hospital.

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