HEALTH bosses have reassured residents that there is nothing to fear from a new psychiatric unit opening in their neighbourhood.

People living around the former Victoria House nursing home, in Darlington, have expressed concern about Cambian Health Services’ plans to open the rehabilitation centre at the former old people’s home.

They fear the proposed 32- bed, all-male unit, which is in Barton Street in the Albert Hill area of town, is too close to a school and nursery, and patients could pose a threat to the local populace However, London-based Cambian has said all the patients will be carefully vetted and there will be no dangerous people living at Victoria House, which is expected to open in about eight weeks.

Cheryl Bearpark, a resident of nearby Church Grove, has leafleted nearby houses, about the opening of the unit and is hoping to organise a petition.

She is worried about the lack of security at the unit.

Ms Bearpark said: “My back garden is next to this and the only thing separating me and this unit is a six-foot fence.

“I’ve got a new born baby, not to mention there is a school nearby.

“How can they do that?

They have devalued my house overnight.

“Although I’m more worried from a safety point of view, it’s more important than a financial one.”

However, Cambian Health Services has said the unit will not pose a threat and is designed to rehabilitate people who have been in care to enable them to return to the community.

All of the patients admitted will follow strict criteria.

None of the patients will have psychopathic disorders, substance misuse problems or severe forensic histories.

There will be no paedophiles or sex offenders and none requiring secure facilities.

All of the patients will be British citizens.

The patients will be referred by the NHS and will have spent time in care, possibly having been sectioned.

A spokesman said: “What Cambian does is give people, who have been in institutions, life skills that they may have lost when they’ve been cared for 24-7.

“It’s community based rehabilitation.

A lot of patients do voluntary work in charity shops and community work.

“It’s not good for any residents to feel that they’re unwanted, or people are scared by them.

“These are people who might have become ill and require treatment to get them back on their feet.

“Cambian successfully rehabilitates 75 per cent of people.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council said: “We were aware of Cambian’s plans for Victoria House, as they applied for planning permission to extend the building earlier this year.”