HEALTH scrutiny chiefs have backed a decision to shut a mental health unit but want replacement patient services in position before closure.

The Lea Castle Centre, Wolverley, looks likely to be axed after Worcester-shire County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee echoed calls to shut it.

County council cabinet members signalled their support for the centre's closure earlier in the month.

The future of Lea Castle, once a leading mental health treatment and assessment centre, has been in doubt since owners Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust launched a public consultation.

Campaigners including the Lea Castle Action Group want services to remain and the site's health facilities to be developed.

Although the scrutiny committee backed closure - the NHS trust's preferred option - members made it clear all patients must have alternative provision in place before they are moved.

About 20 of the unit's remaining 30 patients are from the county.

Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust could end up running any replacement services, although it is unlikely detailed discussions will happen until a decision is made on the centre's future.

John Campion, committee chairman, said: "Most people recognise that while it is not necessarily where we want to be, history is history - we cannot change it.

"We supported closure but said nothing happens until alternative provision has been made for all residents, acceptable both clinically and personally."

He added the overview and scrutiny committee would ask for a full report, whatever the NHS trust's decision, following the end of the Coventry health body's consultation on March 28.

The trust is then due to hold an extraordinary board meeting at Kidderminster Town Hall, in the Corn Exchange, on April 7, at 2pm to decide Lea Castle's future.

Nigel Knowles, action group chairman, said: "I am not very happy about the lack of a positive response from anybody in a position of authority to keep a residual amount of buildings open for these people who need specialist care."

The action group is meeting at the Tulip Tree Centre, next to Kidderminster Fire Station, in Castle Road, on April 1, at 3pm.