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Six-hour journey to visit mentally ill son

12 April 2012

The mother of a mentally ill man faces six-hour trips to visit him after he was moved from their local NHS unit because of bed shortages.

Amelia Williams of Camden had been visiting her 22-year-old son, who suffers from catatonic schizophrenia, every day when he was at nearby Highgate Mental Health Centre but last month he was moved to St Andrew's Hospital in Southend. Camden mental health trusts have had to close more than 100 beds.Ms Williams said the journey, which costs around £40, is too much. She said: "I feel like I've lost him forever."

Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust said: "We guarantee that all those who need an inpatient bed are provided with one. This may involve the use of specialist services not provided within the borough. We are working hard with Ms Williams to help her access funds to enable her to travel to support her son."

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Camden
Highgate
Mental Health
Schizophrenia