‘Flaw’ claim over service switch bid

Groups pick holes in NHS mental health consultation

Health bosses have said all opinions on a proposed permanent move of mental health services out of Perth will be considered before a final decision is taken as it emerged two key groups did not engage with the public consultation process.

Mental health charity Plus Perth and Perth and Kinross Carers Voice did not put forward their views on plans to have Dundee’s Carseview Centre accept all psychiatric patients from Perth and Kinross requiring a bed instead of Murray Royal Hospital because of perceived “flaws” in the consultation process, it emerged this month.

Perth and Kinross’ Integration Joint Board (IJB) had been mulling over a paper described as a “mid-point review” of the public consultation on the proposals when Maureen Summers, who represents carers on the board, claimed the consultation, which identified the above as NHS Tayside’s “preferred option”, was “so flawed” the two groups decided not to engage with the process.

The paper before the board featured Linda Dunion, the chair of the board, said whatever concerns had been raised could not stop the process now.

Ms Summers then said the perceived flaws in the consultation would have a “significant impact” on its outcome, a view that was echoed by Councillor Eric Drysdale, who raised his own concerns about how the consultation had been handled.

He said he had attended a public event in Perth were consideration of the proposal was the last item on the agenda of a long meeting and that he felt officials “rushed” through the options.

“People were getting irritated they weren’t getting answers to their questions,” he said. “It was an unsatisfactory consultation.”

Ms Dunion said it sounded like the meeting Cllr Drysdale had attended was “not satisfactory” but added that as long as a final report on the consultation reflected the concerns of everyone who would be affected by the proposed change the health board will have done its job.

It was then Ms Summers stated Plus Perth and Perth and Kinross Carers Voice had chosen not to participate in the consultation because of its perceived flaws.

“Both these groups chose not to engage because they thought it was so flawed,” she said. “There is the general feeling that the decision had been made anyway.”

Ms Dunion said at this point she wanted to draw the discussion to a close as she did not want the board to “rehearse” concerns about the consultation again.

A final report on the consultation and what option NHS Tayside wants to take will be presented to all Tayside health boards for comment before Perth and Kinross IJB is asked to approve the chosen option in January next year.

The PA spoke to a representative of Perth and Kinross Carers Voice following the meeting who confirmed the group have “strong opinions” about the proposal and the consultation. The PA is awaiting further comment from the group.

And a representative of Plus Perth has said on the group’s Facebook page: “Plus Perth will complete [a] full report by the beginning of December to be included within the NHS Tayside report as sound evidence against the proposal.

“Perth and Kinross IJB will make the final decision on Friday, January 26, 2018 at 2 High St - there is still time to contest this dreadful proposal.

“If you think this is a bad idea use your voice now.”