Concerns about conditions at Menston's High Royds Hospital will come under the spotlight when an independent inquiry into the state of mental health services gets under way.

The news was welcomed today by Pudsey, Horsforth and Aireborough MP Paul Truswell who, with other MPs, lobbied Health Minister John Hutton last month about local mental health services.

Their meeting with the minister followed claims by a group of leading consultants that cramped conditions and understaffing at High Royds and the Roundhay Wing at St James's Hospital, Leeds, had left services at crisis point.

They said the conditions had already led to outbreaks of violence on the wards and it was only a matter of time before a more serious incident occurred.

The consultants, including Professor Dick Mindham - Nuffield Professor of Psychiatry at Leeds University - said more resources should be put into the city's mental health services and that an independent review was needed to restore the confidence of staff, patients and relatives.

Mr Truswell said he was delighted with the news, adding: "John Hutton not only gave us a sympathetic hearing but has clearly listened and acted upon our concerns."

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