After over three years of vigorous campaigning, supporters of the St Andrews Ward mental health unit in Wells have acknowledged their defeat in the battle to keep the facility open.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed plans to relocate the 14 beds from the ward, located at Priory Health Park, to Yeovil this spring.

The Save St Andrews Ward campaign, launched on 24 September 2020 following the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group Governing Body's decision, faced significant challenges despite widespread local opposition.

Emma King, a key figure in the campaign, shared her disappointment, saying, "After a meeting organised with the Integrated Care Board on October 19, 2023, it became blindingly apparent that our campaign had failed to have the desired impact and the ward will close in spring 2024 and all services associated with it relocated to Yeovil."

King expressed concerns for the future, stating, "We remain concerned that the needs of the residents of the Mendip area are still not being properly addressed and that the removal of this ward will lead to vulnerable, confused people being further distressed, thereby prolonging their mental health crisis."

Despite the setback, King acknowledged some positives from the campaign.

"We have managed to receive guarantees from the ICB that the Bridge will remain untouched, and they are, in fact, going to use the St Andrew's building to expand on the Bridge services, and we are also to receive four step-down beds at Kenward House on Jocelyn Drive," she said.

Jane Yeandle of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust provided insights into the decision, explaining, "In September 2020 the former NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group made the decision to relocate 14 inpatient adult mental health beds from St Andrews Ward in Wells to sit alongside the existing Rowan Ward in Yeovil as it will provide greater resilience and help us to keep our patients safe."

She further elaborated on the future plans for the Priory Health Park estate, mentioning refurbishments and reviews to ensure suitable facilities for community mental health services. "We are also currently refurbishing the health park's Willowbank Unit for improved older people's mental health services, and our next step is to improve the adult community mental health services space at The Bridge," Yeandle added.