The only facility for treating people with acute mental health problems in Waltham Forest will close permanently, it has been announced.

The decision to shutdown Naseberry Court in Larskhall Road, Highams Park, has been taken despite GPs in Chingford calling the facility to remain during a public consultation by Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The treatment centre was temporarily closed by North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) in March 2013 amid concerns over patient safety, high absconding levels and an incident in December 2012 when a patient attacked staff.

Services, staff and patients were transferred to Sunflowers Court at King George Hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, where they will remain from now on. 

More than half of respondents to the public consultation agreed Naseberry Court should close permanently, with 24 per cent disagreeing.

A quarter ‘strongly disagreed’ with the patients being treated outside the borough, citing concerns over travel distances for patients and their families.

However, nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed agreed there should be an alternative in Waltham Forest to Sunflowers Court.

A joint response by GPs in Chingford ‘strongly recommended’ NELFT maintain services mental health community recovery services for outpatients at the Chingford site.

NELFT has been asked what will happen to the site in Merriam Close.

The subject of home treatment care for older people and minimising the need for inpatient care was strongly supported by over 85 per cent of the consultation’s respondents.