Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is considering disinvesting in a series of services including a mental health crisis centre and counselling services.
The CCG, which was rated as “inadequate” by NHS England, is facing a deficit of £14.5 million and has warned that this could rise to £31 million if nothing is done.
As a result the CCG discussed, at its most recent board meeting, the possibility of disinvesting from 12 of its services in an effort to save £2 million.
While it was decided that some services would continue to receive funding, such as an end of life care service, half of the services under consideration could have their funding removed and several others will undergo further reviews.
Path House, a three-bed crisis centre in Ludlow that offers people with mental health issues a community-based alternative to hospital, could lose CCG money.
The Shropshire CCG board papers say the centre runs at 87% occupancy and would be better placed in either Shrewsbury or north Shropshire.
Counselling services based in GP surgeries are also on the CCG’s list to disinvest, with the report saying the services lack “assurance on quality” and “evidence based interventions”.
Also at risk of closure is ENABLE, an employment centre for people with mental health problems, and the Children’s Movement Centre, which helps children with neurological conditions.
A centre for people with profound and multiple disabilities, Oak House, could also lose funding.
Dr Julian Povey, chairman of Shropshire CCG, told the Shropshire Star: “We have to make some very difficult decisions. Our first priority is to ensure that we continue to offer services that meet the demands of our patients, while also delivering value for money.
“We have identified a list of potential opportunities for disinvestment or decommissioning and some further work is required.”
