A TRUST chief has apologised for moving mental health wards around without keeping patients and the public fully informed.

The Peter Bruff Ward in Clacton is being moved to Colchester and the Bernard Ward in Colchester is going to Clacton.

The move is designed to save money, cut out spare capacity and because the North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust was in breach of single sex, privacy and dignity rules at the Peter Bruff ward.

The moves caused concerns for dozens of families.

Members of Essex County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee suggested consultation had been lacking.

Christopher Butler, chief executive of the North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust, admitted errors had been made.

He stated: "I readily acknowledge any change to established services is a legitimate cause for anxiety on the part of existing service users, their family, carers and partner agencies.

"In hindsight, I must say that we should have engaged with local people earlier and explained more fully the reasoning behind the changes."

The Peter Bruff ward is a 17 bed mixed gender mental health ward for adults which was housed at Clacton Hospital.

It was not in full use because the positioning of the toilets and bathrooms breached Care Quality Commission rules on patient dignity.

The problem was highlighted in a report which concluded the trust "requires improvement".

Vacant space was identified at the Landemere Centre opposite the Clacton facility but the space was not sufficient for a 17 bed ward.

The trust decided to move the ward to the Kings Wood Centre in Colchester.

At the same time it was agreed the Bernard Ward, which could fit into the Landemere Centre, would be moved to Clacton making a switch possible.

The trust claim it has the advantage of meaning adult inpatient care is centralised in Colchester and older adult inpatient care in Clacton which reduces the need for specialist staff to move between the two.

About £600,000 is being spent on the changes including upgrading some facilities.

The lack of consultation led to rumours about the standard of care which would be available.

In his response to County Hall Mr Butler stated: "I can give you a categorical assurance Peter Bruff Ward in its new home will continue to treat and care for the same group of patients in exactly the same way as it does currently.

"It will not be a 'step up' or 'step down' or an 'assessment centre' as is being rumoured currently."

He added: "My firm view is overall the changes not only improve the environment for all out patients but give staff more time with patients as they are not travelling between centres and release cash to put back into front line care."