St John's 'Snoezelen' Launch

3.34.49pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Sep 2005

The St John's Hospital in Twickenham (which caters for the elderly medical ill) on Friday saw the opening of its new multi-sensory room (or Snoezelen, based on its Dutch name). The Deputy Mayor, Vincent Cable MP and Lady Panufnik (President of the League of Friends, which donated the room) were at the opening.

Vincent Cable MP warned, however, that the hospital was a victim of cuts imposed by the SW London Mental Health Trust: "on the very ward that this wonderful, imaginative new facility is being opened, there has been a serious cut in the number of beds and closure of the ward is a serious possibility.

"What is happening in mental health provision locally is seriously worrying: cuts in services for the most vulnerable people disguised in management-speak about modernisation. I sincerely hope that this invaluable little hospital, which has had generous backing from the local community, is used to its full potential, not left as the victim of ill-directed cuts."