HC Deb 18 March 2003 vol 401 cc664-5W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Service Trust have to sell Century House in Salisbury; and if he will make a statement. [103078]

Ms Blears

Century House, which is currently the base for most community mental health services in South Wiltshire, is likely to be sold in 2003–04 for the following reasons: The building cannot be made compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act It has health and safety problems It is not particularly user friendly for many mental health service users

I am advised, however, that sale of the building will not affect the level of service provision but, on the contrary, will increase accessibility for disabled service users.

The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership National Health Service Trust has already considered alternative options for service delivery. The majority of services will continue to be delivered in service users' homes and community settings, and existing service teams will move in to the new and refurbished buildings at the Old Manor Hospital, where individual consultations and group sessions will take place.