Mental health unit faces closure after council ends contract

County residents suffering from mental health issues have been left “devastated” by news that a Haddington-based resource centre which they attend looks set to close.

CrossReach, a social care arm of the Church of Scotland, has been unsuccessful in its tender for mental health day service provision in the county which is currently based at Tynepark where there are more than 60 service users on its books.

A top cash prize of £50,000, won by public vote, will now have to be returned to The People’s Millions lottery which had been earmarked to provide community cafe, gardens and mini farm at the Poldrate facility.

One service user hit out at the tender decision, saying: “We service users at Tynepark are devastated by this news and would like the public to know that the council has failed to listen to us. This is in direct opposition to all the information given by service users in questionnaires and consultations regarding what we need from our mental health service.”

Councillor Paul McLennan, Council Leader, said: “This tender has not been about cutting costs or reducing the amount we spend on day services for people with mental health services but rather ensuring that the services the council buys are most appropriate for both current and future need.”