Inpatient mental health bed closures
Dear West London NHS Trust,
In the last 10 years, please could you state
1] How many wards have been closed by your Trust in total?
2] Please list names of the wards closed, describe if they were adult/ old age/ forensic etc; their location and specify the number of bed lost with each of these wards?
3] How many new wards were opened by your Trust in total?
4] Please list names of the wards opened, describe if they were adult/ old age/ forensic etc, their location and specify the number of bed lost with each of these wards?
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
Dear West London NHS Trust,
The response to this FOI request has been delayed. By law, you should normally have responded promptly and by 12 April 2021.
Please explain the delay and send a response asap.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
Dear West London NHS Trust,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of West London NHS Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Inpatient mental health bed closures’ .
The response to this FOI request has been delayed. By law, you should normally have responded promptly and by 12 April 2021.
Please explain the delay and send a response asap.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
Dear Dr Mukherjee,
Thank you for your email dated 28 April 2021 in which you ask for an
internal review of our response to your Freedom of Information request
(our reference 139).
An internal review can only be conducted if you have concerns/issues with
the response the Trust has provided to you. As the Trust has not provided
a response to your FOI request (our reference 139), we are unable to
conduct an Internal Review
If after receiving the response, you are dissatisfied with the way the
Trust responded, you have the option of contacting the Trust to conduct an
internal review.
Please accept our apologies for the delay in getting back to you with a
response and for breaching the statutory 20 working days allotted to
respond to such requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. We
will get back to you at the earliest possible and would like to thank you
for your continued patience.
Kind regards,
FOI & SAR Officer
West London NHS Trust
14 June 2021 UPDATE FROM ICO
Reference: IC-106072-N9K0
Dear Dr Amit Mukherjee,
I write concerning your complaint about the failure by West London NHS Trust to respond to the following information request, submitted via WhatDoTheyKnow on 11 March 2021:
“In the last 10 years, please could you state
1] How many wards have been closed by your Trust in total?
2] Please list names of the wards closed, describe if they were adult/ old age/ forensic etc; their location and specify the number of bed lost with each of these wards?
3] How many new wards were opened by your Trust in total?
4] Please list names of the wards opened, describe if they were adult/ old age/ forensic etc, their location and specify the number of bed lost with each of these wards?”
I have contacted the West London NHS Trust and asked it to respond to your request within 10 working days. If it fails to do this, a decision notice will be issued requiring it to respond to your request.
I will contact you again in due course. If in the meantime you receive a response from West London NHS Trust to your request, please let us know.
Yours sincerely,
Carly Smith
Information Commissioner's Office
Dear Dr Mukherjee,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request (our ref 139). Please
find below our response:
AMHS = Acute mental health services
CARMHS = Community & recovery mental health services
OPMHS = Older people’s mental health service
CAMHS = CAMHS & developmental services
ICS = Integrated care services
WLFS = West London forensic services
HSS = High secure services
In the last 10 years, please could you state
1] How many wards have been closed by your Trust in total?
2] Please list names of the wards closed, describe if they were adult/ old
age/ forensic etc; their location and specify the number of bed lost with
each of these wards?
3] How many new wards were opened by your Trust in total?
4] Please list names of the wards opened, describe if they were adult/ old
age/ forensic etc, their location and specify the number of bed lost with
each of these wards?
AMHS – Two wards closed (Starlight Ward (8 beds) and Discovery Ward (17
beds) ), Two wards suspended (Hope Ward (17 beds) and Horizon Ward (14
beds)). One Ward opened temporarily: Apollo Ward (10 beds), H&F MHU,
General Adult, replaced by one ward long term, Robin Ward (currently 7
beds, will be 18 beds when staff have been recruited, date not known,
likely to be within next 6 weeks), General Adult, Lakeside MHU, Hounslow,
no beds lost on opening this ward as Apollo was replaced by an 18 bedded
OPS Ward (i.e. the same ward was simply renamed and kept open for use by
OPS), and Robin Ward was opened as an additional ward bringing 7
additional beds (soon to be 18 beds) into our overall system.
CARMHS – August 2019 - two inpatient rehabilitation wards were reduced to
one following a review within West London Mental Health Transformation
programme. This one ward was re-purposed as a High Dependency
Rehabilitation unit, providing intensive rehabilitation input to service
users with complex presentations. This HDU model was based on inpatient
stays of 12 months or less. The aim of this was to release funding to
begin the development of community rehabilitation teams to in-reach to the
bedded provision and support service users on their continued journey to
independence and wellbeing. In October 2020, it was decided that a focus
on community delivery for rehabilitation would be optimal for the patient
journey. The inpatient rehabilitation ward was re-purposed in December
2020.
OPMHS – In 2011 there were two older people’s wards in the John Connolly
wing, Windemere and Coniston, 16 beds each (32 total). These wards were
closed 2012/2013, and 18 beds opened on Jubilee (net loss of 14 beds). We
haven’t officially opened or closed any other wards in the last 10 years.
If anyone mentions Meridian, that’s not accurate – Meridian moved service
lines but bed numbers never changed (no net change for the Trust, and the
patient cohort remained the same), and whilst it was temporarily fully
moth-balled early in the pandemic it was never officially closed and has
now been partially reactivated (officially still open to 18 beds, though
we’re in the process of rebuilding the staff cohort).
CAMHS – CAMHS have never run wards. The only under 18 unit that has been
closed is the Wells Unit, but this was managed by WLFS, not CAMHS.
ICS – We became responsible for Clayponds Hospital, initially Magnolia
Ward (2015) and later Jasmin and Rosemary (2019) (70 beds commissioned).
And we opened MRU briefly in 2020 as a short term covid response, now
closed. Not aware of community services ward changes prior these services
transferring.
WLFS – Wells Ward, adolescent medium secure beds within Thames Lodge,
closed (7 beds when closed). Thames Lodge and Medway Lodge – old wards
reconfigured within new buildings. One additional ward opened – Windrush
HDU forensic high dependency ward (10 beds).
HSS – Over the past ten years there has been a net reduction of 2 HSS
wards and a net reduction of 5 beds. The names of the wards are available
on the website. The wards from the old hospital moved into purpose built
wards in December 2019.
If you are dissatisfied with this response and wish to appeal then please
let me know by writing to:
Information Governance Department
Trust Headquarters
1 Armstrong Way
Southall
UB2 4SD
Or alternatively, you can email: [1][email address]
Any complaints will be dealt with through our Internal Review procedure.
If you are still not satisfied following the Internal Review, you have a
right to appeal to the Information Commissioner using the following
contact details:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Thank you.
Kind regards,
[2]signature
FOI & SAR Officer
West London NHS Trust
Dear West London NHS Trust,
In your response, you have not mentioned about the closure of Mott and Gynn wards and opening of Robin ward.
Also Mott house ward was previously Forensic before it became adult rehab ward. So there must have been loss of forensic beds in the process?
Blair was originally in the Tony Hillis Wing (THW) , it later moved to John Connolly then to Askew ward at Hammersmith. You have not clarified about this.
You seem to have glossed over the closure of John Connolly Wing somewhat - some wards moved to Wolsey Wing/Jubilee but there were definite bed losses when that unit was demolished to make way for the new Three Bridges MSU (TBMSU).
For WLFS, you mention the opening of Windrush (10 beds), but neglect to mention the closure of Brunel ward (6 beds). Rollomay ward was 25 beds when it was in THW, but is an 18 bedded ward now it is in TBMSU.
Please clarify above points.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
Dear West London NHS Trust,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of West London NHS Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Inpatient mental health bed closures'.
In your response, you have not mentioned about the closure of Mott and Gynn wards and opening of Robin ward.
Also Mott house ward was previously Forensic before it became adult rehab ward. So there must have been loss of forensic beds in the process?
Blair was originally in the Tony Hillis Wing (THW) , it later moved to John Connolly then to Askew ward at Hammersmith. You have not clarified about this.
You seem to have glossed over the closure of John Connolly Wing somewhat - some wards moved to Wolsey Wing/Jubilee but there were definite bed losses when that unit was demolished to make way for the new Three Bridges MSU (TBMSU).
For WLFS, you mention the opening of Windrush (10 beds), but neglect to mention the closure of Brunel ward (6 beds). Rollomay ward was 25 beds when it was in THW, but is an 18 bedded ward now it is in TBMSU.
Despite my request these points have not been clarified.
Hence please review how this FOI has been handled as it seems that some information have been deliberately concealed.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
Amit Mukherjee
Dear Dr Mukherjee,
Thank you for your email dated 28 July 2021 in which you ask for an
internal review of our response to your Freedom of Information request
(our reference 139) issued on 17 June 2021. Sincere apologies that this is
being delayed. Trust is working with this foi and shall send a response
when completed.
Kind regards,
[1]signature
FOI & SAR Officer
West London NHS Trust
Dear Dr Amit Mukherjee,
On the 28th of July 2021, you sent a Freedom of Information request to
West London NHS Trust, that is FOI 266.
I note that you have submitted 10 further FOI requests which are:
FOI Ref Date Received
264 28/07/2021
274 02/08/2021
280 05/08/2021
281 05/08/2021
317 03/09/2021
318 03/09/2021
322 09/09/2021
333 14/09/2021
334 14/09/2021
336 14/09/2021
We have considered your requests and we have concluded the following:
These FOI requests meet the requirements as defined in the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (FOI(A)), Section 14 (1) (vexatious) and therefore
the Trust will be issuing a refusal notice under Section 17 (Refusal of
request) of that same Act.
Section 14(1) is designed to protect public authorities by allowing them
to refuse any requests which have the potential to cause a
disproportionate or unjustified level of disruption, irritation or
distress.
The FOI requests have been exempted for the following reasons below
• Frequent requests: The Trust receives new requests from you
before the Trust has had an opportunity to address your earlier
enquiries.
• Targeting individuals: Previous FOIs you made targeted
particular employees within the Trust.
• Burden on the Trust: Due to the volume of FOI requests and
Internal Reviews received from you, the effort required to meet the
request is grossly oppressive in terms of the strain on time and resources
and the Trust cannot reasonably be expected to comply
If you are still not satisfied, you have the right to appeal to the
Information Commissioner using the following contact details:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Telephone: 01625 545 700
Dayo Adebari
Information Governance Manager
West London NHS Trust
Dear West London NHS Trust,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
1] I am writing to request an internal review of West London NHS Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Inpatient mental health bed closures'.
2] I am a health campaigner volunteering for better services within the NHS.
3] https://www.ealingsaveournhs.org.uk/2021...
Above is the link re hospital bed closures - other health campaigners have written this based on FOIs I filed.
The timing of your department labelling my requests vexatious is interesting, especially after the article re: bed cuts was published on the website above and quoted on this Twitter news below.
https://twitter.com/nicktriggle/status/1...
4] I have never targeted any employee. But I have questioned why certain individuals like the Training Prog Director have been in position for more than 10 years OR why in the community services a psychologist is line managing doctors. As a member of the public, it is my right to scrutinise what processes within your public authority protocols allow this.
5] West London NHS is not interested in sharing information and being transparent. Hence they have labelled my requests as 'vexatious' .
6] For instance in this FOI MINT model spending -https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/m...
you say that information is available with NHSE. But when I enquired with NHSE , they said they do not hold such information ( NHSE Ref FOI- 2109-1550478)
7] And look at this another FOI ECT -https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/e...
You have randomly picked up dataset like age 56, 57 and said that there was less than 5 in each category. And you also say that ethnic category is "British" without clarifying if it is White British they mean. You have not given information in a way which can be analysed. Why? Do you want to hide something?
8] From above examples it is clear that public authority you are not interested in being transparent about information you hold and do not wish to be scrutinised so that your patient safety practices can be questioned.
9] I will request to the ICO to look into this matter but I am giving you a chance to do an internal review of your decision
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
Dear ICO,
REF: IC-132607-L3D0
Please see attached document titled “ FOI related to all correspondence related to bed closures”
In summary
11th March 2021- I applied for an FOI
20th April 2021- I sent them a reminder to Respond
28th April 2021- I asked for an internal review as no one was responding
7th May 2021- Trust informed me that they can't do internal review because they have not given any response. ( with no comments on why they were not responding)
I escalated this to ICO
14th June 2021- ICO directed the Trust to respond within 10 working days ( REF IC-106072-N9K0)
17th June 2021- Trust responded
25th June 2021- I asked the Trust for some clarifications
28th July 2021- I asked for an internal review as I did not get any response for the clarifications
9th Sept 2021- Acknowledgement of my internal review request
23rd Sept 2021- Labelled as a ‘vexatious requester’ by the NHS Trust
Other points:
1] I am a health campaigner volunteering for better services within the NHS.
2] ] https://www.ealingsaveournhs.org.uk/2021...
Above is the link re hospital bed closures - other health campaigners have written this based on FOIs I filed.
The timing of the Trust department labelling my requests vexatious is interesting, especially after the article re: bed cuts was published on the website above and quoted on this Twitter news below.
https://twitter.com/nicktriggle/status/1...
3] I have never targeted any employee. But I have questioned why certain individuals like the Training Prog Director have been in position for more than 10 years OR why in the community services a psychologist is line managing doctors. As a member of the public, it is my right to scrutinise what processes within your public authority protocols allow this.
4] West London NHS is not interested in sharing information and being transparent. Hence they have labelled my requests as 'vexatious' . The above summary of sequence of events is clear evidence of the Trust trying its best to hide information
5] For instance in this FOI MINT model spending -https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/m...
you say that information is available with NHSE. But when I enquired with NHSE , they said they do not hold such information ( NHSE Ref FOI- 2109-1550478)
6] And look at this another FOI ECT -https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/e...
You have randomly picked up a dataset like age 56, 57 and said that there was less than 5 in each category. And you also say that ethnic category is "British" without clarifying if it is White British they mean. You have not given information in a way which can be analysed. Why? Do you want to hide something?
7] From the above examples it is clear that public authority you are not interested in being transparent about information you hold and do not wish to be scrutinised so that your patient safety practices can be questioned.
8] Please see below the list of FOIs which have been labelled as ‘vexatious requests’ . Some of these are very important questions related to transparency. Also deceitfully the Trust has labelled some clarifications as ‘new FOI’s to label me as ‘vexatious requester’.
List of FOIs which the Trust find “oppressive “
264 28/07/2021- FOI on Ealing in-patients being admitted elsewhere. No response provided despite clarification
August 2021
274 02/08/2021- FOI on Ealing patients being admitted in other boroughs
280 05/08/2021- FOI on CAMHS admission policy
281 05/08/2021 – FOI on Psychology waiting times. Again clarification not provided.
September 2021
317 03/09/2021- This is not even a new FOI. I asked for clarification on an old FOI re ECT but Trust deceitfully labelled it as new FOI
318 03/09/2021- FOI on External investigations
322 09/09/2021-FOI on Trust response to CQC findings
333 14/09/2021- This is not even a new FOI. I asked for clarification on an old FOI re Community Psych Discharges but Trust deceitfully labelled it as new FOI
334 14/09/2021- This is not even a new FOI. I asked for clarification on an old FOI re Locum Spend Money but Trust deceitfully labelled it as new FOI
336 14/09/2021- FOI on Annual FOI Data Requests
I therefore request the ICO to look into this matter.
PS- Attached below are correspondence related to all FOIs
Many thanks.
With kind regards,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
cc- WEST LONDON NHS TRUST
Dear West London NHS Trust,
Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.
I am writing to request an internal review of West London NHS Trust's handling of my FOI request 'Inpatient mental health bed closures'.
PLEASE SEE THE ICO DECISION BELOW:
Date: 21 July 2022
Public Authority: West London NHS Trust
Address: 1 Armstrong Way
Southall
UB2 4SD
Complainant: Dr Amit Mukherjee
Address: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Decision (including any steps ordered)
1. The complainant made 11 requests over the course of six months. West
London NHS Trust (“the Trust”) eventually refused all 11 requests as
vexatious.
2. The Commissioner’s decision is that the Trust has failed to provide any
evidence to support its use of section 14(1) of FOIA.
3. The Commissioner requires the Trust to take the following steps to
ensure compliance with the legislation.
• Issue fresh responses, to all 11 requests identified in the annex to
this notice, that do not rely on section 14(1) of FOIA.
4. The Trust must take these steps within 35 calendar days of the date of
this decision notice. Failure to comply may result in the Commissioner
making written certification of this fact to the High Court pursuant to
section 54 of the Act and may be dealt with as a contempt of court.
A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/i...
Please comply with the above decision notice and send me your response.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Amit Mukherjee
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