Mental health services should expand to benefit more people with personality disorders in Colchester and Tendring, according to NHS bosses.

This call comes as the Haven Project, in Glen Avenue, Colchester, faces closure within months after Department of Health funding expired at the end of a ten-year pilot which started in October 2004.

About 280 people are registered with the project, which provides round-the-clock crisis support to clients.

Staff running the project, as well as clients, have been frustrated the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has not committed funding to save it.

Now Dr Shane Gordon, group chief clinical officer, said a review found the project did not reach all of the Colchester and Tendring residents suffering from personality disorders.

He said: “This review highlighted that only a small number – some 280 – of individuals benefited from this service over ten years, compared to the much higher estimated need in our area.

“However, we recognise the need to continue developing services in our area.

“This is why we are working with our local partners to agree a long-term strategy to ensure that the needs of local people with a personality disorder are met.”

Full story in Wednesday's Daily Gazette