Care workers today voiced fears over the possible temporary closure of a hostel for psychiatric patients.

Their concern follows an announcement that Thorncliffe House, Summertown, Oxford, may close for a short time to allow a change in management.

The nine-bed hostel, a half-way house between hospital and the community for young people with mental health problems, is managed by Oxfordshire Mental Health Care Trust.

It also provides follow-up support when residents move into less supported accommodation.

It is now planned that a housing organisation will take over the management of the accommodation, while the existing clinical team will continue to offer care.

In a statement, released to the Oxford Mail, the trust said: "This will change the use of Thorncliffe House from a hospital hostel to a highly supported community hostel in line with the green paper for mental health recommendations.

"It may be that, prior to transfer from hospital hostel to community hostel, Thorncliffe House will close for a short period to enable new care arrangements to be put in place."

But a source from the public service workers union Unison said: "We're worried a temporary closure could become a permanent closure. It will be much easier to shut it permanently if there are no staff and clients here to defend the place."

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