HEALTH MATTERS
I AM delighted that the local NHS has approved plans to transform care in Eastern Cheshire, South Cheshire and Vale Royal for people who experience severe mental ill health.
The decision will pave the way for greatly enhanced community services, including a dementia outreach service, 24/7 crisis service and crisis care beds.
The care model approved by the governing bodies of NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG, NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG has been reconfigured to respond to many of the concerns raised during the 12-week public consultation by retaining the majority of inpatient beds in Eastern Cheshire while still introducing all of the new community services. These enhanced community services focus on early intervention and prevention.
The inpatient beds in the Millbrook Unit on the Macclesfield Hospital site will be replaced by 47 local beds designed to meet requirements set out by the Care Quality Commission.
Of the 47 beds there will be:
26 beds for adults and older people in Lime Walk House, Macclesfield
15 beds for people with dementia in the former CARS ward, Macclesfield Six local crisis beds. Together with the enhanced local community support, a further seven beds for people with very complex needs – bringing the total of re-provided beds to 54 – will be provided in Chester and Wirral.
This improved care model has one element that was not included in the options consulted on, and that is the proposal to relocate 13 rehabilitation beds to Bowmere Hospital in Chester instead of the Soss Moss facility, Nether Alderley.
The rehabilitation beds are currently situated in Lime Walk House.
Engagement with service users and carers has indicated they would prefer to move to Bowmere than the Soss Moss site.
Bowmere is close to the city centre and already has modern rehabilitation facilities while Soss Moss is more rural and would have required substantial refurbishment.
The CCGs are holding a further four-week consultation until December 21.
Following consideration, any subsequent amendments agreed by the consulting partners will be reflected in the chosen model, Option 2 Plus, and progressed to implementation.
You can view Option 2 Plus by visiting www. easterncheshireccg.nhs. uk and clicking the “Have Your Say” button on the home page.
You can comment by emailing ecccg. generalenquiries@nhs.net or calling 01625 663477.