Mental health groups dispute statement

MENTAL health organisations have accused NHS Tayside of “misrepresenting” their support for the new Living Life Well strategy to improve services across the region.

The health board launched the programme saying there was widespread support for it.

Living Life Well was developed in response to last year’s damning independent inquiry report into NHS Tayside’s mental health services.

NHS Tayside issued statements which included positive messages from members of the Stakeholder Participation Group (SPG) regarding the initiative and participation of those with lived experiences and in third-sector organisations.

However nine of the 12 SPGs involved in the talks have accused the health board of misrepresenting their views.

Susan Scott, development manager at mental health charity Plus Perth, spoke on behalf of the nine complainants.

She said: “The SPG feel the NHS press release misrepresents the extent to which the views of patients and their families have been taken into account in the formulation of the strategy.

“It reads as though all parties, including the SPG, endorse the strategy and feel we were heard and valued during the consultation process.

“Sadly, this has not been the case.”

Susan, who has worked in the sector for 40 years, said the continued emphasis on quantity over quality of service did not meet needs in a balanced way.

She said: “The SPG seek evidence that the aspirations of the strategy will be implemented into services for mental health and learning disability experienced by patients and their families.

“Living Life Well is an evolution – it is not an action, Nothing we see has happened, in fact most of us see tragedies still occurring.”

Plus Perth is conducting its own mental health survey until April 11, available at plusperth. co.uk asking people to give feedback on their experiences.

THE stepdad of a young woman who took her own life at Murray Royal Hospital has been raising money for the charity set up in her memory.

Jodie McNab died on the Moredun Ward at the Perth hospital aged 22 – one of three deaths at the facility over which NHS Tayside admitted criminal failings last year.

For the last month Jodie’s stepdad, Tommy Swan, has been out running every day, through rain and snow, raising money for The Lighthouse for Perth. The mental health charity was founded by Jodie’s mum, Tracy Swan, following her daughter’s death in 2013.

Tommy believes charities like The Lighthouse are increasingly important.

“This money will go a long way,” said Tommy.

HUNDREDS of people in Dundee have had to turn to the Citizens Advice Bureau for help with their debts during the pandemic.

A total of 421 Dundonians have had to get help as their debts spiralled out of control during the lockdown.

The majority of debt was from credit cards and personal loans.

However, staff at Dundee CAB say this could get even worse with support like the UK Government’s furlough scheme coming to an end.

They are now urging anyone with debts piling up to speak out and get the help they need to get their finances back under control.

Tracy McNally, manager of Dundee CAB, said getting help as early as possible is key and wants to encourage people not to put off their problems.

She said: “Since the pandemic