Anger as closure plans are revealed
CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at health bosses for asking people to choose between mental health or dementia care beds. Members of the community reacted angrily after the latest proposals to close the Millbrook Unit were revealed in last week’s Express.
Former nurse Michael Trafford, who has worked with mental health services for 36 years and was based at the old Parkside hospital, said: “This is not a choice. The options are ridiculous.
“It’s like being asked to choose between your right and left arm. We need both.
“It’s awful what’s happening to mental health services in Macclesfield. We’re talking about saving lives. A high percentage of patients on the unit are sectioned under the mental health act. They need to be in hospital.
“It’s disgraceful. CWP was brought in to protect services. If they don’t have the money, it’s their job to find it.”
Mr Trafford, 56, who lives on Arlington Drive in Macclesfield, says the Millbrook Unit currently has two wards caring for patients with mental health issues, and that he has seen figures showing that of the 35 beds in the two wards, 26 of which are being used by patients sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The CWP said they would not comment on the figures.
Mr Trafford added: “These figures should be a ‘red flag’ to the trust and the CCG - to put it simply it’s a measure of how ‘ill’ you have to be to get a mental health inpatient bed in East Cheshire.
“It should also be seen as an ‘alarm bell’ regarding the pressure community services must be under too. These services must not be closed under any circumstances - indeed quite the opposite. This really is a mental health inpatient crisis.”
A petition by East Cheshire Mental Health Forum at doyoumind. co.uk has nearly 3,000 signatures.
Michael Heale, of the forum, who lives on Kennedy Avenue, Macclesfield, said: “We will not stop fighting these plans. Dropping down to six beds for adult mental health is nowhere near enough.
“And more people are suffering from dementia, we need both services in Macclesfield.”
Rob Vernon, from Macclesfield Constituency Labour Party, is running another petition with more than 1,200 signatures to save the unit. It calls on the council and government to step in with funding.
Rob said: “Having to choose between those things is ridiculous. Both are vital in our community. We’re fighting to keep the unit open. We’re challenging the council to intervene in the interests of residents.
“As vice chairman of Macclesfield Constituency Labour Party but more importantly a Maxonian with personal and family experience of mental health problems, this is close to my heart, and the majority of residents too.
“We face a mental health crisis and cannot allow this to happen.”
Visit 38degrees.org.uk for Rob’s petition.