New option for mental health services to stay
HEALTH bosses have revealed a new ‘preferred option’ for mental health care in east Cheshire - that would see services stay in Macclesfield.
NHS Eastern Cheshire, South Cheshire and Vale Royal clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), the organisations that buy healthcare in the area, will make a final decision at a meeting tomorrow.
Under the new proposals the Millbrook Unit will close as planned and inpatient beds for older people and dementia patients will be moved to Lime Walk House, in Macclesfield.
But now the CCGs could decide to move adult mental health beds to the same place - instead of to Chester as previously expected.
The new option comes after a huge campaign involving the Macclesfield Express, East Cheshire Mental Health Forum (ECMHF) and MP David Rutley.
A joint statement from the three CCGs said: “We have been giving full consideration to public feedback during the three-month consultation.
“In order to minimise the impact of additional travel for inpatient care, the decision-making business case outlines an amended option for consideration.
“This addresses many of the concerns raised and heard throughout the consultation and also continues to meet the ambitions outlined within the case for change.
“This option is identified as the preferred way forward, and it - together with the original option - will be considered by the governing bodies in making their decision.”
The new proposal would have a ‘negligible travel impact’ compared to up to 260 people having to travel to Chester under the original plans.
However, patients with more complex needs that require rehabilitation would have to travel to Bowmere in Chester.
Michael Heale, from East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, said: “Our thing all along is that there has to be some form of care in Macclesfield.
“If we have something walong those lines we have achieved in a way. We will wait and see.”
Councillor Liz Durham was among those to voice concerns, saying at a meeting in September: “One of the things that was mentioned was that ‘care has to be close to home’ - well you’re not going to be cared for close to home if you have to travel that far.
“That’s what really, really worries me.”
The new option would require an additional £730,000 from NHS budgets - although the CCGs would still make a saving of £500,000 over their current spend.
According to Mr Rutley the plans would see 15 beds at Lime Walk House