March to save mental health unit

Staff say they provide vital support to residents

Protestors have marched against the planned closure of a mental health centre in Leicester on Friday.

Staff and supporters of the 21-bed Rutland Unit in Narborough protested outside a consultation meeting about the site's future.

The centre provides care for people with enduring mental health problems.

Health officials have said more community projects mean fewer people are going to hospital and the money could be better used elsewhere.

Union Representative Tom Smith said: "Residents at the Rutland Unit are people with long-term, enduring mental health problems in need of 24-hour care.

"The proposal is to use 10 beds on acute units, which is not appropriate. They wouldn't have a homely environment and it would overload the acute services."