"The clinic ran with a 1m shortfall over the past year, and there were also times when beds were underused. The service was no longer affordable within existing funding."
"Lord John Bird described the closure of the unit as pulling the service out from beneath the people who desperately need it, stating, 'All we're doing is pushing these problems back on to the streets.'"
"The Mayor's Office emphasized that the mayor does not have powers to commission healthcare but is committed to supporting vulnerable Londoners and recognizes the importance of addiction treatment and detoxification services."
St Thomas' Hospital confirmed the closure of London's only dedicated drug and alcohol detox unit for homeless individuals due to rising costs and a funding shortfall. The unit, which opened in 2021, provided essential support for those withdrawing from substances and offered various health initiatives. Lord John Bird criticized the decision as a short-sighted cost-cutting measure that would exacerbate issues for vulnerable populations. The Mayor's Office stated it does not control the unit's funding but is committed to ensuring continued access to detox services in London.
Read at www.bbc.com
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