WARRINGTON'S mental health service provider, the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust, has come under fire again over its lack of consultation with the borough council.

At a meeting of the health overview and scrutiny committee, Judith Holbrey, chief executive of the trust, and colleagues were invited to speak about the proposed modernisation of mental health services in the town.

As part of 'Change for the Better', it is proposed that the number of beds would be cut from 66 to 33 with more emphasis placed on treating people at home and in day centres rather than admitting and keeping them in hospital.

But Helen Sumner, Warrington borough council's strategic director of community services, asked for reassurance that services would be in place prior to the bed cuts.

She said: "We need to be sure that services are in place in advance of the closure of the beds.

"This 50 per cent reduction can be managed by community services but only if we are fully involved.

"My concern is that the local authority hasn't been involved, particularly when our staff are jointly managed.

"The reduction in consultant psychiatrists and nurses and the grades and levels of staff in the community come at a time when more staff are needed."

She added: "The timescale also seems to be unduly hurried and some changes have already been implemented before the consultation."

But Mrs Holbrey defended the consultation saying that the local authority had been kept informed.

She said: "This is a full and open consultation process. I am not aware that any decisions have been made in advance."

Four months ago St Helens Council issued a vote of no confidence in the trust amid concerns they had not been consulted over its budget recovery plan.

The committee voted to accept the proposals subject to more details and reassurance that transitional services would be in place.