Addicts 'could bring legal challenge' over plans to move rehab services from Surbiton health centre

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Surbiton.com: October 10, 2013 - 3:30pm

Kingston Council “could face a legal challenge” over its plans to review the location of drug rehabilitation services in Surbiton.

Users of the community wellbeing service at Surbiton Health Centre, including a needle exchange, and mental health and substance misuse treatment, could oppose the move under the Equality Act. A report by Dr Jonathan Hildebrand, the joint NHS and Kingston Council director of public health, Dr Jonathan Hildebrand, said an equality impact assessment must be carried out before and after the review – which could cost up to £80,000 – to stave off legal action.

The service has come under fire from parents, governors, and the headteacher at next-door Lime Tree Primary School. Councillor Margaret Thompson suggested the review be postponed until the first of those meetings had taken place.

Councillor Mary Heathcote was appointed “mental health champion” by the panel, of which she is vice-chairman, and will take part in consultation on the review. Dr Hildebrand said the bill for the review would come to about £40,000 if it looked only at new locations in other health centres and clinics. But if it has to consider sites with different planning status, that figure could double. Councillors decided at a health overview and scrutiny panel meeting on Wednesday initially to carry out a less formal, “desk-top” search for new premises, to try to reduce costs.

A new risk assessment would have to be carried out if the service was moved, and patients would be asked their views on possible new sites. A previous risk assessment by consultants RSM Tenon concluded the wellbeing service should stay where it is, subject to six-monthly reviews involving health providers, residents, and councillors. That report cost the council £11,880 – including VAT.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/10731348.Addicts__could_bring_legal_challenge_...

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