Health boss insists decision to axe Portsmouth Baytrees detox centre was '˜never an easy decision'

The Baytrees Residential Detox Centre shut its doors for good on Monday.

There’s fears the move will increase pressure on emergency services. But Sarah Austin, chief operating officer at Solent NHS Trust, said: ‘This was never an easy decision we took, but we just didn’t have options, and our commissioners agreed.

‘We have safely discharged patients who were in our care and have worked with commissioners, over the last few months, to ensure people with a need for drug and alcohol detoxification services are redirected to other providers.

‘Closing the unit was a sad chapter indeed but we can take some solace in that we have deployed nearly all our invaluable staff to other services within our organisation.

‘It only made sense to retain the services of these highly valued colleagues so we can continue with the business of providing the very best care to those who come into contact with our services.’