WORCESTER'S MP is calling for a u-turn over controversial plans to axe a popular mental health facility - urging ministers to intervene.

Robin Walker has used a parliamentary debate to bring MPs' attention to the concern over Powick's Link Nurseries, the therapy centre facing closure.

The Conservative, who challenged community and social care minister Alistair Burt on it, also wants the Government to mandate hospitals to have 24-hour mental health experts on-site.

Link Nurseries offers people with mental health problems the chance to grow fruit, vegetables and plants which are then sold to the public, but as we revealed in October it is expected to close in April.

Health chiefs also run two other facilities in the county, one at Shrub Hill in Worcester and another known as Orchard Place in Redditch, and want to consolidate into one larger site.

Mr Walker said: "Many of my constituents have contacted me to express their strong support for Link Nurseries and the Shrub Hill workshop and a number of people have given examples of how the services have helped them to turn their life around.

"I have no doubt that (MPs) in neighbouring constituencies will have heard similar stories."

He said he has suggested that all three sites should stay open but commission their services to new providers like charities, adding: "I have to question the whole approach of a consultation that appears to be cutting back on an important service, valued by service users at a time when demand is apparent and the overall budgets of health commissioners are being increased.

"I urge the minister (Mr Burt) to look into this matter and see whether he can do anything to encourage the commissioners to have another look."

During the debate he also said help for mental health issues at A&E "causes me concern", pointing to a decision in 2014 to end specialist on-site 24-hour cover at the royal.

Now, instead of a 24-hour health liaison officer, the site has a specialist nurse during the daytime and telephone support overnight.

He called specialist care "in those situations vital", asking Mr Burt to "consider the case for all emergency departments, especially those as busy as the one at the Worcestershire Royal hospital, having 24-hour access to mental health experts".

At the end of the debate Mr Burt thanked him for his contribution.

Worcestershire's Health and Care Trust says it wants to tackle mental health issues head-on under one larger, single venue located in Worcester, offering "intensive support to build confidence and self-esteem" rather than have three fragmented sites.