A HOME for adults with serious mental health problems in Huddersfield has been shut down with just five days notice.
The five residents at Rushbrooke House in Royd Street, Longwood, were being moved to another home today.
They range in age from their 30s to 60s.
Health Service bosses have come under fire for their lack of notice over the closure.
A source said: "It is a terrible blow to the residents and will have a big disruption on their lives.
"It is terrible they have been given only a few days notice
"They are being moved to Enfield Down at Honley, which is a much bigger place. But it will not help them, nor the staff who do a great job.
"It re-opened only a year ago and was intended to offer a base for people who had been sent out for care in other authorities. They could manage to bring only one back to Huddersfield and they have not saved the money they want.
"Some of these people are really settled there and it will really disrupt their care."
The home is run by South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust.
Hazel O'Hara, trust board nurse and director of service delivery, said the move had been planned carefully as it was recognised it could cause anxiety.
She added: "Staff from Rushbrooke will move to Enfield Down with the residents and work with individuals to help and support them as they settle in to their new accommodation and continue to support their care.
"Rushbrooke is a six-bed facility, providing short-term rehabilitative care to people with enduring mental health problems.
"Due to changes in mental health practices, with more people supported at home, the clinical demand for this type of service has reduced.
"There have also been problems trying to staff Rushbrooke and Enfield Down, with services relying on agency and temporary staff."
