Petition launched to keep city's detox unit open

A campaign has been launched to save the West's only NHS inpatient drug and alcohol detox unit.

The Acer Unit, based in the grounds of Southmead Hospital in Bristol, is due to close on 31 March.

The 10 bed unit, currently run by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), offers in-patient care and treatment for adults over 18 who have difficulty controlling their drug or alcohol use.

A spokesperson from AWP said there would be "no change or impact" for those currently receiving treatment in the unit before the end of March.

For the last four years, the ward has been funded by Bristol City Council.

However, from 1 April, the council's contract will end and drug and alcohol services in the city will be provided by a new contractor - charity and social enterprise Turning Point - in partnership with the Bristol Drug Project.

They plan to buy medicalised detox inpatient beds elsewhere after the Acer Unit closes.

Steve Rice, who started the Save Acer NHS Detox Unit petition, says the unit needs to stay open to save lives.

"It's the only one for the whole of Bristol. It is vital," he said.

"People do successfully detox themselves, but a lot of people die before that happens.

"[The ward] gives medical care and they're trained professionals."

Mr Rice's petition currently stands at 3,442 signatures.

Simon Roche who spent two weeks in the Acer unit last May said it saved his life.

"I believe a Bristol without a detox [centre] is a Bristol without hope," he said.

"It is something that people can strive towards. For those people that are so desperate for help, there isn't that thing that you can offer them now."

Dr Tim Williams, a consultant addiction psychiatrist who ran the service for five years up to 2021 said: "Acer ward was a regional NHS unit so cases that require severe support to a level of an NHS facility will have to go somewhere else in the country.

"Now with Acer due to close, there will only be four other units nationally that could accept those kind of patients."

"Acer is special because it's an NHS unit and is staffed by specialist doctors, nurses, psychologists, they can take the most severely dependent people with drug and alcohol problems."

A spokesperson from AWP said: "There will be no change or impact for those currently receiving treatment.

"We will be working alongside partners over the coming weeks to ensure a safe transfer of care."

Nat Travis, national head of Service for Public Health and Substance Use at Turning Point said: "Inpatient detox will still be available to those who need it from the 1 April.

"Under the new contract, people in need of detox will be able to choose the service that best meets their particular needs from a number of residential and community-based options."

Tom Renhard from Bristol City Council said: "We want to be providing care and support for them close to their community networks and family networks."

The council added it is working with AWP to identify future provision.

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