News Release

7th June 2002

MICHAEL FABRICANT MEETS MEMBERS OF MENTIS CENTRE (LICHFIELD DROP-IN CENTRE FOR THOSE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS) WITH REGARD TO THEIR NOTICE TO QUIT

Michael Fabricant met members of the Mentis Centre this afternoon (7th June) at their drop in centre at St Michael's hospital in Lichfield to discuss their concerns over their notice to quit. Michael will now be taking this issue up with the South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Trust which owns the hospital, with the Staffordshire County Council which provides some of the funding through their education and social services budgets, with Lichfield District Council which may be able to locate alternative premises, and with the Minister of Health in London.

Michael Fabricant says "The Mentis Centre provides an opportunity for people with mental health problems to meet and to give each other support to face society. Over 25% of the population nationally will have mental health problems some time in their life and there's hardly a family in the land which has not been touched by someone with psychological problems. This matter must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet in Lichfield".

The problem has arisen with plans to demolish St Michael's Hospital to make way for the replacement for the old Victoria Hospital. "But although the Mentis Centre has been told they have a stay of execution until the autumn, they will then have to move to the Minster Youth Centre in Lichfield. But they will have fewer hours available to them each day, the Youth Centre is closed during public holidays such as Christmas when mutual support is most needed and people are at their most vulnerable, and there is no parking.

"As the funding for our new hospital has yet to be finalised, I will be asking local authorities to allow the Mentis Centre to use St Michael's hospital right up until it is finally demolished and to seek suitable alternative premises in the meantime. The Minster Youth Centre is clearly unsuitable. A possibility might be the provision of a building paid for as a condition of allowing house-building on part of the existing St Michael's site. Whatever happens, the uncertainty is very worrying - particularly for people already suffering from psychological problems. This mental torment should not be allowed to continue indefinitely." says Michael Fabricant.

"I was particularly moved by a number of handwritten letters handed to me when I visited them this afternoon" adds Mr Fabricant. "One reads:

'My name is Mark. I used to go down a derelict railway station and watch the freight trains go by. It was very cold and damp. I went there 7 days a week before I heard about the drop in centre. I use the drop in centre 5 days a week now and I find it very beneficial for me and I can meet new friends and sit in comfort and have a cup of tea with my friends. Without this facility I would be lost. With nothing to do and keep me occupied. It's great for me to be able to use the centre with all its facilities. I am just speaking for myself but I'm sure I speak for many others who are in the same position as me.' "