CAMPAIGNERS fighting the closure of Acomb Gables have taken their fight to the top.

David Alexander, from Tang Hall, York, has written to the Queen, the Prime Minister and Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to make them aware of the issue.

He has asked Tony Blair to investigate the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) board's recent decision to move elderly patients out of the mental health unit in Oak Rise, Acomb.

Campaigners claim the decision to move the patients was made for purely financial reasons because the PCT is heavily in debt.

But health bosses say they want to channel funds into an expanded home care service for mentally-ill people living in the community. Mr Alexander, whose father suffers from dementia and has lived at Acomb Gables for three years, said: "The decision has been made but I'm not prepared to accept it because they (the PCT) have given no consideration to anything we've said.

"I will keep fighting right to the bitter end and even after. I've asked Tony Blair to investigate the reasons for closing it."

In his letter to Mr Blair he says: "These people (Acomb Gables residents) suffer from a cruel illness that strips them of all their dignity and memories. They do not deserve to be treated as a cure for the financial mess the PCT finds itself in.

"I think it is time for the Government to step in and look at what is happening as it seems to me the PCT is going in the opposite direction to the Government with care for mental illness."

Meanwhile, Gary Millard, the PCT's director of mental health and social inclusion, has revealed they may use part of Acomb Gables as offices for the new community teams.

Patients at the PCT's mental health facility at Stray Garth, Heworth, may also be moved into Oak Rise.

He said these patients were predominantly people being rehabilitated for more minor mental health issues and posed no danger to the community.

"There are no plans to sell off Acomb Gables," he said.

"We expect it to be empty by the end of February."

Updated: 09:12 Saturday, January 21, 2006