Specialist Manchester hospitals chosen under ‘Healthier Together’ plans
Manchester Royal Infirmary, Salford Royal, Royal Oldham and Stepping Hill have been unanimously chosen as the four ‘specialist’ hospitals in Greater Manchester as part of the ‘Healthier Together’ hospital reconfiguration.
The four locations were amongst 10 regional hospitals in the running to become ‘super hospitals’.
A perceived crisis in the availability of mental health beds is actually caused by delayed patient discharges, according to an inquiry chaired by former chief executive of the NHS Lord Crisp.
Mental health services spent millions of pounds sending patients hundreds of miles for beds last year as use of ‘out of area’ hospitals increased by almost a quarter, research by Community Care and BBC News has found.
Protesters brandishing placards have started converging on Britain’s financial capital to demonstrate against Government austerity and spending cuts.
Mental health cuts are ‘driving people to the edge’
Mark Winstanley, head of the Rethink Mental Illness charity, urges the Conservative government to act on its funding promises and prioritise mental health
The day before last week’s election, leaked minutes from the meeting of a key mental health steering group, the Crisis Care Concordat, warned of an NHS “system failure” that was leading to large numbers of people in mental distress turning to A&E for help, due to inadequate community-based mental health services. Concerns were also raised about how many patients, especially young people, were being admitted to hospitals miles away from home because of mental health bed shortages.
Manchester Conservatives Deputy Chairman and local candidate for Didsbury West David Semple took part in Question Time Special organised by Manchester User’s Network. The panel, consisting of parliamentary and local candidates representing the whole political spectrum, was chaired by BBC health correspondent Elaine Dunkley.
Information watchdog to probe DWP’s secret reviews on benefit deaths
The information watchdog is to investigate the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over its refusal to publish secret reviews into 49 benefit-related deaths.
Election Special for Patients staff and the Public 22 nd April 7pm-9pm
Manchester Users Network will be hosting an Election Special for Patients staff and the Public to attend so they will have a chance to ask questions of Parliamentary Candidates.
Manchester Users Network hosts ‘A Question Time Special’ 22 nd April 7pm – 9pm
North West Health Journalist And Television Broadcaster Elaine Dunkley will be chairing the Question Time Special.
Crisis in Mental Health and Social Care Conference
Saturday 14th March 11am-3pm
Manchester Methodist Hall
Karen Reissmann, a local nurse who is standing against Labour MP Gerald Kauffman, said, “People in Gorton are looking for change. There is a deep sense of betrayal at Labour’s failure to represent ordinary people. It cuts through every conversation, even with Labour loyalists.”
