A TRUST has refused to deny a claim that a secure mental health unit will close as part of a shake up of services.

Neil Zammett, a member of a committee which monitors health services in Redbridge, wrote last week that Naseberry Court in Merriam Close, Highams Park, will be shut down by North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and provision relocated to Goodmayes.

The facility currently cares for people with a variety of series mental health problems and Mr Zammett said the move was intended to enable more patients to be treated at home.

NELFT admitted it was "looking at options" for how to care for people with mental health problems, but refused to say whether the closure of Naseberry Court was being considered.

But Mr Zammett gave a cautious welcome to the move, adding: "I think Goodmayes is now a better site because it is near an acute hospital which will help to remove stigma from mental health and open up possibilities for better integration of psychiatry with other medical disciplines.

"There are a few worries however; caring for people leads to additional stress for family members. We need to be sure that ... this is not a cost-cutting measure."

The Guardian's questions on the issue were referred to the North East London and The City, the trust which runs Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, without explanation.

A spokesman said: "Commissioners and NELFT are looking at options for delivering care to patients of mental health services across our area. No changes will be made unless commissioners agree and support them.

"Any proposals affecting Naseberry Court would need to fit into those wider plans and would then be subject to a full public consultation. At the moment there is no agreed proposal for consultation with regard to Naseberry Court."

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