A RANGE of new mental health services is planned for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

The ten-bed unit at Thornleigh, Colne Road, Burnley, will cease as a county council care hostel for mentally ill people and be upgraded to provide an "active rehabilitation" service for the area.

The proposal is contained in a report on mental health services due to be considered by the Lancashire Social Services Committee today.

If the plans go ahead, Thornleigh will be refurbished and jointly staffed by Burnley Health Trust and the Social Services.

Anyone living at the hostel at the time of change will be accommodated elsewhere.

A report says the key task of the new service would be to help individuals maintain their independence and motivation, reduce risk and self-harm and help them build a social life.

The proposed service aims to meet the more challenging needs of those people currently living in the community.

The local mental health strategy is committed to the principle that people with a mental illness should, wherever possible, be supported through a crisis or a change of circumstances, in their own home.

The new service will be for those people whose health or social circumstances mean that support in the home is untenable and who require active short-term support outside the home.

It is not intended to provide a permanent home but will be geared to helping people move on to their own accommodation.

The report adds that work is taking place to ensure that facilities at Brier Crescent, Nelson, are co-ordinated with the new service at Thornleigh and that the overall plans include the development of a facility offering 24-hour staff accommodation for people with long term challenging needs.

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