Health centre faces axe

More than 100 jobs will be at risk if a health centre on the outskirts of Kidderminster closes down, it is feared.

The Lea Castle Centre could be axed.

The centre, run by the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, at Cookley, is at risk of closing down because it does not have enough patients.

In the last few years, there has been a reduction in the number of people using the site, which provides care for people with learning disabilities. There are 46 beds at Lea Castle but only 37 of those are currently occupied by patients.The Warwickshire trust employs 170 workers, including more than 100 specialist nurses. Trust chief executive, Sandy Taylor, said: "Over the past few years the usage of Lea Castle has reduced dramatically.

"It's reached the point where we have to seriously consider its future but no decision has yet been made."

Union representatives and Wyre Forest health managers have been told about possible options including closure and a reduction of the centre's size. They are worried about job losses although some staff could be relocated to other NHS sites. Health chiefs will discuss the plans at a meeting on December 10 and the preferred option will go out to consultation.