Consultation to improve mental health services

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) has launched a consultation to find out what people think about mental health services in Middleton, as part of plans to improve access to those services.

The majority of people in Middleton who experience mental illness will be treated in the community by their GP. A smaller number of people with more serious mental health needs may be referred to a psychiatrist at hospital. Most patients attend these appointments as an out patient, but those that need to spend time in hospital receive inpatient treatment.

Paul Dolan, mental health contracts manager for NHS HMR, said: “Currently, the majority of Middleton mental health inpatients are seen in North Manchester but others may go to Rochdale or other nearby towns like Oldham. We want to develop a simpler process in Middleton to make it easier for local people to access these largely hospital based Mental Health Services.

“To help us do this, it’s really important that we understand the views of the people from Middleton who use mental health services so that we can take their experience into account when deciding how to re-provide them. We are not planning to reduce services but may re-locate some of them and even introduce different organisations to provide these services, depending on the feedback we receive. Our main aim is to ensure quality care is provided and that services remain as local as possible.”

NHS HMR invests approximately £35 million into mental health services across the area.

Several thousand leaflets, including a questionnaire, are being distributed locally. You can also take part by completing the questionnaire online or alternatively, call 0800 121 4406 for more information. The deadline for responses is 14th January 2009.