SERVICE users, NHS staff and other stakeholders attended a public meeting to discuss proposed cuts to mental health services on Tuesday. Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust (HPT), which operates the services across the county, has been told it needs to save £5 million by the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) which commission them.

One of only two health trusts in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire health community to balance its budget, HPT has been told it must help to repay the debts other trusts have built up.

Chairman of Watford and Three Rivers PCT, Pam Handley, said at the meeting: "The Government has given us six priorities in healthcare and mental health is not one of them.

"The PCTs have therefore asked HPT to set out areas where it can reduce services. Every trust in the local health economy is facing the same five per cent cut, including all the PCTs."

She explained that half of the cuts would be made in non-clinical areas of the NHS as efficiency savings. The meeting was well attended, and many people asked questions following a presentation by the PCT, in which the service areas were listed.

The amount of money saved by cutting each area was also listed. With reference to the consultation, reductions to day services, the closure of the Direct Access Psychology Service and the closure of the Early Intervention in Psychosis Service, which is in direct contradiction to the aims of Investing In Your Mental Health, an initiative that all the trusts in this area have signed up to, caused concern.

Staff and patients alike were critical of plans to close and reduce services.

A representative from HPT was unable to say which areas of day services and support groups would suffer under the cuts.

He said the entire service was under review, with the aim of saving £300,000 in this area.

To take part in the consultation write to Watford and Three Rivers Primary Care Trust, FREEPOST, Royalty House, King Street, Watford WD18 0ZB, or telephone 01923 281679 before Wednesday, May 3.