Helensburgh Advertiser | News | New moves in Vale debate

Friday, 25th July, 2008

Published: Sunday, 11th May, 2008 12:00

New moves in Vale debate

HEALTH chiefs have taken action to let more people have their say on the proposed changes of mental health services on Helensburgh and Lomond.

A number of public drop in events to discuss the proposed changes and planned service developments were arranged by Argyll and Bute Community Health Partnership across the area to provide an opportunity for the public to tell them their thoughts about the review of mental health services.

A Partnership spokesperson said: “We are very aware, however, that coming to meetings is either not convenient for people or is something that some people do not feel comfortable with.

“We have, therefore, designed a questionnaire to allow these individuals to give us their views and opinions at this early stage of the redesign process.

“The questionnaire has been distributed to patient groups, community groups, community councils, local hospitals, GP practices, members of Argyll and Bute Public Partnership Forum, and is also available on our website at: www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/CHP/ArgyllandBute/Pages/MentalHealthReview.aspx with the deadline for returning completed questionnaires Friday May 16.

The spokesperson added: “The views and opinions collected by the questionnaire will be added to those collected through the other means we are using and will form the basis of a report which will help us start shaping the future of the mental health services across Argyll and Bute.”

It was stressed that the public can be reassured that responses are anonymous.

Community Health Partnerships are responsible for a number of services including supporting the improvement of the health of local communities; providing health services for local people, health and social care professionals, and voluntary and independent organisations, in decisions that affect the planning and delivery of health care and health services for their communities.

They also deal with the co-ordination of the planning, development and provision of health services.

A vision for mental health services was set out in June 2007 Argyll on the general principles and improvements in mental health care and services.

The CHP now needs to develop more detailed plans for what future mental health services will look like, how they will be provided and where they will be located. In doing this there are many factors that need to be considered; the views of people with mental health needs, staff, the wider local community and the view of health and social care professionals such as GPs and those in the voluntary sector.

Meantime NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have also arranged consultation meetings over their plans to move mental health services from the Vale of Leven Hospital to Gartnavel Royal in Glasgow.

The next meeting is being held at the Dumbarton Football Club stadium on Monday from 1–4pm.

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