Closure of NHS detox unit delayed after campaign

The closure of the West's only NHS inpatient drug and alcohol detox unit has been delayed after a campaign.

The Acer Unit, based in the grounds of Southmead Hospital in Bristol, was supposed to shut on 31 March when contracts for beds were set to end.

The 10 bed unit, currently run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), offers in-patient care and treatment for adults over 18 who have difficulty controlling their drug or alcohol use.

Steve Rice, who launched a petition calling for the unit to be saved, said he is "thrilled" but added he will "believe it when I see it".

AWP said it will launch a consultation on the service and then decide on the unit's long-term future.

Bristol City Council commissioned four of the beds, North Somerset Council commissioned one, and the remaining five were available to any local authority on an ad-hoc basis.

The move would have seen the council's contract moving drug and alcohol services in the city to a new contractor - charity and social enterprise Turning Point - in partnership with the Bristol Drug Project.

They planned to buy medicalised detox inpatient beds elsewhere should the Acer Unit have closed.

Mr Rice's petition has been signed by more than 5,000 people as of Wednesday.

"I've hit them but I don't think I've knocked them out," he said.

He previously told the BBC the unit needed to stay open to save lives.

AWP said in a statement it recognises "the impact Acer has had for those individuals and families who have used it".

"We will share further details about this process which will include staff, patients, partners, stakeholders and the wider community, as soon as possible," it said.

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