A YOUTH mental health clinic in Salisbury might yet be saved, despite State Government cuts.
A government review of non-hospital health services had recommended closing the Shopfront Clinic on John St and offering reduced services at a new clinic in the northern suburbs.
Health Minister Jack Snelling last week announced $14.8 million in cuts to non-hospital services by 2014/15.
However, a Health Department spokeswoman said the possible closure of Shopfront "wasn't that black and white" and the clinic might stay open.
"We are looking to put all the youth services under one single integrated metropolitan service and we will be doing further consultation on where this will be based and what services it would include," she said.
"Will it be based at Shopfront? It might be, but it might not be.
"We will be consulting with the council and the community about where these services should be placed and this consultation will inform any decision on the future of Shopfront at Salisbury."
Shopfront is a walk-in clinic that provides mental health and drug and alcohol services to people aged 12-25.
It also links vulnerable youths with other services, such as needle exchange programs and lawyers.
Another of the recommendations was to only provide service to vulnerable groups, such as Guardians of the Minister, Aboriginal youths and those within youth training centres.
However, that is still under review too.
"(Any clinic) will focus more on vulnerable people but we are now working out what the measurement of vulnerability means," the Health Department spokeswoman said.
"Will there be a walk-in service? I'm not sure."
SA Health service director Lynne Cowan fronted more than 30 youth health workers at an open forum in Salisbury the day before the cuts were announced.
Mrs Cowan assured the group that the cuts were needed to provide the "best level of care for the community".
She said 271 submissions had been received after community consultation on the cuts.
Mr Snelling's office did not return calls to the News Review Messenger this week about the future of Shopfront.
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