Vince Cable

Responding to a debate introduced by Vincent Cable, MP, in parliament last week, the health minister acknowledged that Vincent Cable had made a "powerful case" against the proposed closure of Marble Lodge, part of St John's hospital, and that the closure "should not be made in advance of the national dementia strategy without, perhaps, all the evidence on the direction of policy".

He added that the decision makers (Richmond Primary Care Trust) should "consider whether it would be appropriate". Vincent Cable has since contacted the NHS authorities who have said that they will complete the current tender process and then re-examine the issue in the light of the minister's remarks.

Vincent Cable said he was "very troubled by the way the proposed closure has been rushed through with minimum public consultation and in direct contradiction of the network of a thorough public consultation on mental health 18 months ago. Also the cost estimates which led the health authorities to conclude that the service is 'too expensive' have never been explained. I have no problem with the local health authorities tendering to see what the facts about costs are, but when they have done that they must stop and heed what the minister is saying: they should not proceed with closures when the government is reviewing its whole approach to elderly mental health".