The importance of retaining acute inpatient adult mental health beds in Macclesfield was raised with senior health professionals by local MP, David Rutley, at the Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s (ECCCG) Annual General Meeting and Health Fair.
At the well-attended meeting at Macclesfield Town Hall on Wednesday 31st August, David emphasised his concerns, and those of local residents, to Eastern Cheshire CCG leaders about proposals from Cheshire & Wirral Partnership (CWP), which provides mental health services in Cheshire, that could lead to the removal of inpatient care and associated beds for adults from Macclesfield and Cheshire East, to Chester. These proposals would see patients and their families having to travel for much longer distances to access acute mental health services.
The campaign to keep beds for those with acute mental health needs in Macclesfield is being actively led by the East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, chaired by local resident Michael Heale, and supported by the local branch of the charity Mind. David has regularly joined the Forum for meetings during his time as Macclesfield’s MP, and recently met Mr Heale, to discuss concerns about the future of local mental health services in more detail. At the AGM, David once again met with Mr Heale, and local representatives from Mind, and reaffirmed his support for the aims of the Forum’s local campaign.
In addition, David meets regularly with the Chief Executive of CWP, Ms Sheena Cumiskey, to raise local concerns about future plans for mental health services in Cheshire East. Whilst recognising CWP’s plans to put a greater focus on community mental health services, David has expressed the importance of ensuring that beds for those with acute mental health needs are retained in Macclesfield.
The AGM and Health Fair was a useful opportunity for Macclesfield residents and health campaigners to ask questions directly of senior local healthcare staff about current service provision, and to learn more about ECCCG’s plans for the future. As well as focussing on mental health provision, information on physical healthcare services was available from a range of other local health groups.
Speaking after the event, David said, “Having high quality mental health services in Macclesfield is vital for local residents and communities across Cheshire East. I share the strong local concerns about Cheshire & Wirral Partnership’s proposals, which could see inpatient care for adults moved from Macclesfield to Chester. Whilst I recognise the importance of improving community mental health services, it is vital that we keep beds for those with acute mental health needs in Macclesfield. I am very grateful to Michael Heale and the East Cheshire Mental Health Forum for their important work, and I am pleased to support the aims of its local campaign.”