There are real "concerns that cannot be ignored" as the Manchester Evening News editorial said, in the Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The latest crisis comes with industrial action and the sacking of Karen Reissmann, a long-serving and experienced nurse who had reached the top of her specialty.
This isn't the first crisis in the short life of this trust. The Rowan ward scandal hit the headlines and the debt which the trust generated so quickly has been hanging around its neck ever since. It finds itself 4th from the bottom in the country for community mental health services.
Liberal Democrat councillors have continued to be concerned about funding from the Labour government for mental health services in Manchester and about the impact of bed closures on waiting lists and the emergency admissions of those who are sectioned under the Mental Health Act and need to be detained.
Manchester Lib Dem spokesperson on health Cllr John Grant said:
"This government were not prepared to do anything about the historical debt and have expected the Trust to make additional 3% "efficiency savings". This is happening in a city with enormous mental health need and by a Labour government which has pumped vast amounts of money on the NHS, but where have they put it?"
"I am relieved that we appear to be approaching a situation where the Trust will be in financial balance by the end off this year. I called for an urgent report on the situation with regard waiting lists. I know from personal experience that if someone needs admission under section a bed must be available immediately., this should be the minimum entitlement for everybody."
"The progress the Trust has made is encouraging, as a waiting list of 30 is now only occasionally 1 or 2 and maximum 5. Hopefully as the rest of the national strategic framework is put in place we will see further improvement. We will continue to fight for better mental health services for the people of Manchester and monitor the performance of the Trust."
ENDS
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