Mental Health Solicitors

Health chiefs in Bolton are defending their decision to close 50 mental health beds.

The Bolton News reports that in three mental health wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital due to close, around half of the patients have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW) has said that no closures will take place until mental health services are operating seven days a week, however.

The GMW has also confirmed that once seven-day working is in place, no mental health patients will be sent outside the areas of Bolton, Trafford or Salford for treatment.

Several mental health trusts across the country have recently decided to end the practice of sending mental health patients to other areas for treatment, including access to acute services and special placements.

Acute units treat mental health patients who may have a high risk of self-harming or suicide, while special placements include services such as mother and baby units for mental health patients.

Sending mental health patients to another area may increase feelings of isolation – and can also make it difficult or expensive for families and loved ones to visit relatives being treated for mental health issues.

The cost of sending mental health patients to another area can also run into million of pounds for mental health trusts.

Providing mental health patients with more community-based care and supported care at home can not only save trusts money, but also means mental health patients do not become institutionalised.

The Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust covers Bolton, Trafford and Salford and the trust is proposing to make cuts to public services that will save £2.3 million.

Protesters against the cuts took to the streets earlier in March over the planned closures of the three mental health wards at the Royal Bolton Hospital – and mental health staff have also criticised the proposals to cut beds for mental health patients. Counsellors at the Mental Health Independent Support Team (MHIST) say that the cuts may risk patient safety and welfare – and the consultation process appears to have offered no option except the proposed cuts.

Manager of MHIST Melvin Bradley said:

“It’s like there’s a ‘plan A’ but no ‘plan B’. Even if people don’t want it, it seems like staying as we are is not an option.”

Clinical lead for mental health at NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Martyn Fletcher, said:

“I believe this investment in mental health care will respond to long held concerns about the responsiveness of our current services when a patient is in a crisis situation.

“As a GP, I know that many patients have not been able to receive the support they need to remain in their own homes and avoid a hospital admission.

“These plans would give a massive boost to community based care, while still retaining some mental health beds for those who need them.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Mental Health solicitors can advise mental health patients on issues such as access to mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit police stations and hospitals and can initiate treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert help with mental health law, contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.