A UNIT which caters for people with dementia and was threatened with closure has been given three month stay of execution.

But West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is still intending to go ahead with the closure at the start of October.

Family and friends of patients who use the Pembroke Unit at Langley House in St Albans Road have been fighting to keep it open.

Watford MP Claire Ward has joined the fight against the PCTs plan to close the facility and transfer services to other units run by Hertfordshire Partnership Trust (HPT) in Harpenden and Borehamwood.

Such a move would leave Watford with no inpatient beds for Alzheimer's sufferers.

Care provided at the unit is provided by Shaw Healthcare, a private company, which runs the facility for the PCT.

The decision to close the unit has come as Shaw's contract expires this year and the local NHS believes the services should be brought back into the public sector.

Speaking after a meeting with the PCT, HPT and relatives last week, Ms Ward pledged to fight on with the aim of keeping the services in the town.

She said: "It's ridiculous to expect relatives to travel to Harpenden or Borehamwood; Watford is clearly a big enough town to need these services.

"I don't see how the other units will be able to cater for the whole of west Hertfordshire.

"I am pleased the PCT have decided to give the unit an extra three months, but would like to see that extended to six months for proper consultation."

For full story see today's Watford Observer.