We fight on to save mental health beds in Bridport
By Rene Gerryts
Friday 4th January 2013
The beds are due to close on April 1 of this year but the Hughes Unit Support Group (HUGS) has refused to abandon hope.
Rosalind Copson, who says she could not have survived without the unit, said the people trying to enforce the changes cannot have experienced mental health issues themselves.
She said: “For everyone’s sake, mental health beds and units such as the Hughes Unit are so vital 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“I could not have survived the past 50 or so years without the dedication of those who have seen me through some dark times.”
Some 16 beds are in-patient beds are going from mental health wards at Bridport Hospital and Sherborne hospital.
The health service said day services, out-patient and home visit services would instead be bolstered.
There are also plans to set up ‘crisis houses’ to deal with urgent cases – probably starting in Weymouth.
A HUGS spokesman said a new policy of home treatment had not lessened the need for beds.
He added: “Many carers visit the Hughes Unit daily.
“This will be almost impossible when visiting the crisis house in Weymouth.
“We do not know of any funding for carers or family who cannot afford to travel to Weymouth.
“Some services have been cancelled in the evening. The X53 has been cancelled on Sundays.”
James Barton, director of mental health services at Dorset HealthCare, said the trust along with NHS Dorset was trying to improve mental health care in west of Dorset.
He said that this was in line with Government recommendations to move away from in-patient care.
He said: “The rationale behind improving urgent care mental health services in Dorset is to provide more ‘recovery-based’ services in the future. “These will be personalised and responsive to each person’s specific situation, “The inpatient beds at the Hughes Unit will be replaced with an increased provision of crisis response and home treatment services, to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
He added: “The recovery house works in partnership with staff from home treatment services to deliver care and ensure people receive care appropriate to their needs.”
Trust advice
WEST Dorset MP Oliver Letwin has regularly met with campaigners about the issue.
Mr Letwin said: “Proper provision for people suffering from mental illness is incredibly important.
“That’s why I have had a series of meetings both with the patients and carers and with the medics and administrators over the last couple of years.
“I have also looked into the operation of the new arrangements, similar to those now being introduced in Bridport, which have been operating for a while in Dorchester.
“I think we have to trust the medical advice that the new service, which will cost the same as the old service, but will involve more support at home and less use of residential care, will be an improvement.
“Though, I think we need to watch like hawks to ensure that specific issues like transport are properly handled.”
Credit: Bridgenews.com http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/10135470.We_fight_on_to_save_mental_health_beds_in_Bridport/
“In line with Government recommendations to move away from in-patient care” ! added by manchesterusersnetwork on
View all posts by manchesterusersnetwork →
