MANY people have expressed worries as various health and social services institutions have been closed in recent years in return for promised care within the community.

There is much logic in the idea that people can be helped to lead more normal, and enjoyable, lives close to family and in areas that they know rather than locked away in isolated Victorian buildings.

But whether we are talking about the closure of old peoples' homes or mental health institutions the provision of an alternative community support system of care is not a cheap option.

And when politicians have not put the emphasis or cash into providing it the result is fear, desperation or worse.

The mother of Neil Green says she is "terrified" of the consequences of her mentally-ill son being left in bed and breakfast accommodation in Burnley six months after being sent to the hospital wing of a young offenders institution because he was deemed too disruptive for Burnley General Hospital's psychiatric unit.

A month after that he was sent back to Burnley General and moved to a secure unit at Chorley which he left on Monday. On Wednesday he was discharged from Burnley General.

Neil's solicitor has described his situation as "a sad and sorry tale of shortcomings within the mental health service."

The health services insist it is "no longer appropriate" for Neil to receive hospital treatment and add that if he gets into trouble in the community "the authorities" will have to decide if his actions are the result of mental illness or not - in which case police and court action would be appropriate.

It sounds as if what happens next then will be a matter of chance rather than design. That's no reassurance at all to Neil, his family or the rest of us.