A WARD for mentally-ill pensioners at Blackburn's Queen's Park Hospital is set to close after patient watchdogs pledged support for a plan to save £388,000.

Most of the cash saved from the shutdown of the 14-bed unit will be used to provide visiting nurses to care for patients in their own homes and more day care facilities.

The remaining £140,000 of savings will be used by Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust to pay of increasing drugs costs and to fund another consultant and support staff.

A report to tomorrow's meeting of East Lancashire Health Authority says public consultation brought support from various organisations, including the local Community Health Council , Age Concern and Lancashire County Council - and no opposition from anyone.

But health authority members who are being urged to give the go-ahead for the changes have been told there will be more work on the proposals to bring further improvements. In its submission, Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley CHC welcome the fact that all savings would go back into elderly mentally infirm services.

"This was felt to be of paramount importance if staff were able to deliver the service proposed and enhance those services in the light of experience gained," their response states.

Blackburn health managers say changing the service will not only make it better for patients but also make it more attractive for staff.

The number of available beds in the area would drop from 76 to 62 but in the last year no more than 58 beds had ever been needed.

The ward closure will save £388,000 and £250,000 will be used to fund extra day care facilities and nurses.

A community psychiatric nurse and team of seven specialist nurses will care for 20 outpatients.

Hill View day hospital on the Queen's Park site will provide respite care seven days a week instead of five days a week to give carers a break.

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