Plans to close a West Sussex inpatient unit for the mentally ill look likely to be approved.

The move is part of a major shake-up of services across the county to focus on community care.

Changes include the permanent closure of the unit at Zachary Merton Hospital, Rustington.

Crescent House will be closed in favour of a community-based services in the Littlehampton, Worthing and Shoreham areas.

Adur, Arun and Worthing Primary Care Trust say the move will enable a more flexible range of services tailored to individual needs, including the expansion of day care and the creation of a 24-hour crisis response team.

The modernisation plans, which would be completed by summer 2005, are expected to be approved at a board meeting tomorrow after six weeks of public consultation.

Brian Hughes, director of planning and partnerships, said: "These plans are very exciting because it will mean a completely different way of working.

"It will mean a better service for mental health service users and their families because it will be 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Users told us they wanted a more flexible and adaptable service and that's what we hope it will be.

"It will be based around three main areas - more support in doctors' surgeries, stronger day services and extended day services in the Littlehampton, Worthing and Shoreham areas and a new crisis response service."

Among those consulted was the local NHS watchdog, Worthing Community Health Council, and the group that will replace it at the end of this year, West Sussex County Council's health scrutiny select committee.

Health council chief officer Trevor Richards said it backed the plans but he said: "We have made it clear we expect to see an implementation plan as soon as possible.

"We wish to see how they will implement each section and a timetable."

The Primary Care Trust was one of the groups to start a review of services after Crescent House had to temporarily close last August because of safety fears over the building.

Users and their families feared permanent closure of the mental health unit could jeopardise the care available.