Public inquiry to be held into crisis facing Manchester’s mental health services
BY: JENNIFER WILLIAMS
Friday 30Th October, 2015
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust admits it is ‘no longer viable as an independent organisation’ after its finances passed the point of no return.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust plans to find £1.5m in savings by axing a range of services
A day-long public inquiry is to be held into the crisis facing Manchester’s mental health services – after we revealed the savage cuts facing frontline services.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust admits it is ‘no longer viable as an independent organisation’ after its finances passed the point of no return.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust plans to find £1.5m in savings by axing a range of services
A day-long public inquiry is to be held into the crisis facing Manchester’s mental health services – after we revealed the savage cuts facing frontline services.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust admits it is ‘no longer viable as an independent organisation’ after its finances passed the point of no return.
READ: Mental health service in Manchester plunged into crisis as NHS trust axed and vital services cut
Councillors were also told no alternative services would replace those facing the axe, including those for people with chronic fatigue and affective disorders.
Patients have warned the move will lead to a rise in suicides.
Members said they were ‘appalled’ by the proposed cuts and questioned whether the trust had done enough to find back-office savings.
Withington councillor Chris Paul said: “These frontline services are really valued, treasured…
“It’s very, very hard to look at this and say ‘are you doing the right thing’ if you can’t see the whole piece. We need to be understanding that you have acted properly in reducing other costs.”
The panel also demanded a public consultation on the cuts.
MMHSCT admits the cuts are partly due to high spending on private beds elsewhere.
In a written statement to the committee, GP Tim Greenaway, of the Alexandra Practice in Whalley Range, wrote the shortfall was ‘in part incurred following the injudicious closure of the Edale unit, leading to far greater costs in finding inpatient beds for Manchester patients outside the city’.
The Edale unit at Manchester Royal Infirmary was closed five years ago, when the trust said it was too small. In April we revealed MMHSCT had spent £7m in four years placing patients in private clinics.
Its financial crisis has also been exacerbated by the council withdrawing £2.4m in funding last year alone.
MORE: Manchester health trust rapped by watchdogs
MORE: Charity warning over surge in demand for mental health services
MORE: NHS is dyings, says letter signed by top Manchester doctors
Credit: BY: JENNIFER WILLIAMS Manchester Evening News
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