This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Mental Health providers, Greater Manchester West and Trafford Commissioners to halt the proposals to remove the 21 older people’s mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital. The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more.

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Mental Health providers, Greater Manchester West and Trafford Commissioners to halt the proposals to remove the 21 older people’s mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital. The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that:

“This Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure that the  consultation on the proposals to remove the 21 older peoples mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital is a genuine consultation that:

1.           Engages all affected communities;

2.           Fully explores the risks and implications for all Trafford residents;

3.           Fully review all alternative options;

4.           Results in revised proposals that protects and enhances the services offered to vulnerable older Trafford residents.

The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more. In addition, the Council demands that the consultation period is extended to 30 June 2014.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was agreed with the general consent of the Council and consequently, the substantive Motion was declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council notes the levels of mental illness are on the increase. This Council also notes that the number of elderly people is on the increase and with this larger numbers of people facing diagnosis of dementia and related mental health issues.

Against this backdrop we call upon Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure that the  consultation on the proposals to remove the 21 older peoples mental health beds at Trafford General Hospital is a genuine consultation that:

1.           Engages all affected communities;

2.           Fully explores the risks and implications for all Trafford residents;

3.           Fully review all alternative options;

4.           Results in revised proposals that protects and enhances the services offered to vulnerable older Trafford residents.

The proposal to relocate these beds to Woodlands Hospital with a depletion of 26 beds across Bolton, Salford, and Trafford would mean patients and families having to travel miles to access services which could prolong recovery and reduce contact with family and friends.

This Council notes that the consultation on the loss of these services is now live but is concerned by the lack of public engagement for patients and carers. This consultation is due to close on 31 March 2014 yet there appears to be no evidence of genuinely informing the public of Trafford what these changes mean for them.

Trafford residents have already suffered a significant loss of service in their locality, this Council demands no more. In addition, the Council demands that the consultation period is extended to 30 June 2014.