NHS Tayside to press ahead with mental health shake-up plan

No Perth and Kinross representation on consultation panel

NHS Tayside is pressing ahead with its consultation on a controversial mental health shake-up, despite a last-gasp bid to have it shelved.

From Monday, the public will get its say on proposals to centralise psychiatric in-patient services at Dundee.

The move would involve transferring hospital staff out of the Moredun ward at Murray Royal in Perth and Stracathro’s Mulberry Unit in Angus.

Health chiefs argue the move is crucial because a shortage of junior doctors could put staff and patients at risk. But opponents argue the single unit will take away important emergency services from Angus and Perthshire.

Yesterday morning, the Perthshire integrated joint board (IJB) – made up of health staff, councillors and representatives of public partners – agreed to go ahead with a three-month consultation.

Councillor Colin Stewart objected to the scheme and suggested an adjournment to look at other options. However, he failed to find a backer among the rest of the voting members of the board.

The move for a single unit at Dundee’s Carseview Centre was one of four options originally considered.

The proposals were scored by a panel which included carers and service users.

However, it has emerged that there was no one from Perth and Kinross on the panel, leading to accusations that the results were skewed towards Dundee.

Local carer Bernie Campbell, who is a member of the board, said: “It has been stated that there was 31 carers involved in the scoring process ... But I have been led to believe that of those 31, there was no representation from Perth and Kinross carers and service users.”

Robert Packham, chief officer for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “People across Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross rightly expect us to deliver modern, high quality, safe and effective mental health and learning disability services, but the way the services are currently arranged is not sustainable.”

He said that only 6% of people who used mental services each year needed in-patient care. “94% of the population access services in the community.

“Through our redesign transformation programme, we have had opportunity to look at how and where we deliver care.”

He added: “We would encourage members of the public to take part in the consultation and give us feedback on the proposed option.”

A final decision is likely to be taken towards the end of the year.

I have been led to believe that of those 31, there was no representation from Perth and Kinross carers and service users. CARER BERNIE CAMPBELL