A WATCHDOG reluctantly accepts a ward may have to close at a Chester-based mental health hospital because NHS funders have no money.
But the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) forum covering Cheshire and Wirral Part-nership NHS Trust says an under threat community mental health team must be maintained.
PPI deputy chairman Murdo Kennedy said: 'Regrettably, but realistically, there must be some cuts in mental health services for the local health economy to live within its means. So we must close a ward at Bowmere but retain the existing community health teams.'
Mr Kennedy said cutting a community mental health team would mean up to 250 vulnerable people would then have to be looked after by primary care mental health services.
'In West Cheshire, these services are national models of excellence, they have twice been awarded 'beacon' status and they have been selected as one of three possible pilot areas in the North West for enhanced 'talking treatments' for depression,' he explained.
'However, they are not designed to cope with the level of risk and need of patients from secondary care.'
Retaining the team would avoid the 'swamping' of these primary care facilities, permit mental health services to continue to move into the community and restore trust and confidence in hardworking but embattled PCT staff.
Last week Mr Kennedy described the proposed package of cuts by the Cheshire West and Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Care Trusts as 'unfair, inequitable and unwise' and hoped that wiser counsels would prevail.
Also included in the Trusts' Financial Recovery Plan is a recommendation to review beds for older people in Crawfords Walk at Hoole.
Mr Kennedy commented: 'The PPI Forum accepted that the 10 year contract with Crawfords Walk placed in 1991 was long overdue for review, but stressed the need to reinforce respite provision (both in-patient and community) since this was a proven cost-effective way to minimise misery.'
