‘Creaking’ mental health care keeps children waiting years
Vulnerable children with mental health problems are being forced to wait for up to three and a half years for assessments and almost two years for treatment, a Times investigation has found, revealing a system that is “creaking at the seams”.
Suicidal patients who are under observation may be put at risk by relying on inexperienced staff and agency nurses, according to a new report issued today.
I’m waiting for a letter, and it’s terrifying. Like thousands of other people hit by the bedroom tax and other benefit cuts, I rely on a discretionary housing payment (DHP) from the council.
But these are all up for renewal in April—and the government has slashed the total amount by £40 million.
Mental health trusts in England have seen their budgets fall by more than 8% in real terms over the course of this parliament, figures suggest.
The reduction, worth almost £600m, was revealed through research by BBC News and the online journal Community Care.
Crisis in Mental Health and Social Care Conference
Saturday 14th March 11am-3pm
Manchester Methodist Hall
Karen Reissmann, a local nurse who is standing against Labour MP Gerald Kauffman, said, “People in Gorton are looking for change. There is a deep sense of betrayal at Labour’s failure to represent ordinary people. It cuts through every conversation, even with Labour loyalists.”
Meeting Wednesday 4Th March with Ilsa Finigan Adult Community & Social Inclusion of the Trust
*What is this new team when you are stepped down?
*What support will I receive when I am discharged?
*If my circumstances and needs have not changed and I am stepped down, will you notify the DWP?
Are you stepping down patients, because of lack of financial resources?
The message is clear and members of the public, Unison members and members of MUN turned out on Valentines Day asking those who Love Manchester to tell Manchester City Councillors not to implement cuts to Manchester Mental Health Services already cut to the marrow as Manchester City Councillor Paul Andrews (Bagley) recently said: “These cuts are already down to the marrow.” MUN’s Chair Paul Reed in response said: ” This mean further killer cuts will mean the loss of lives and that’s something Manchester User’s Network is not prepared to allow, if this Council implements these killer cuts MUN would seek legal action against Manchester City Council.”
Short-term savings in mental health budgets may lead to long term problems, the charity warns
Local councils trying to provide mental health care are “storing up problems” for the future, a charity has claimed.
Replacing specialist services with generic care to cut costs would result in long-term problems for some, Hafal chief executive Alun Thomas said.
He claimed many people would “end up losing portions of their lives”.
The Welsh Local Government Association said councils were doing their “utmost” to protect services for vulnerable people but faced “massive pressures”.
Manchester celebrities Shaun Ryder, Terry Christian, Rowetta and Claire Mooney are to lead hundreds of protesters in a rally against ‘appalling’ coalition cuts that have affected the city.
The Mancunian icons will lead crowds in what they are calling a ‘smart rally’— an emulation of the pro democracy demonstrations that took place in Hong Kong back in September 2014.
