Mental health consultation threatens future of Millbrook Unit

A 12 week consultation to look at mental health services in East Cheshire has opened to the public.

The public consultation on proposals to redesign specialist mental health services for adults and the elderly starts today.

The consultation relates to services available to all the residents of Eastern Cheshire, South Cheshire and Vale Royal.

Eastern Cheshire Clinical Consulting Group (CCG), says that around 7,000 adults are supported by these services every year, with 95 percent of that care provided within the community.

Health bosses therefore insist not that many patients would be affected if Macclesfield's Millbrook Unit was to close.

The consultation includes three proposals for the under threat unit, two of which would see the service close if either of them are adopted.

This has sparked an outcry from local MP's , concerned that some patients will then face up to an eighty mile round trip to Chester - where some of the service would be relocated under the plans.

Esther McVey, Fiona Bruce and David Rutley issued a joint statement earlier this week, campaigning for mental health services to remain in the town.

Dr Ian Hulme, from Eastern Cheshire CCG, says they're focusing on trying to treat people at home, and that very few patients would need to travel to receive treatment if Millbrook were to be axed. In addition, should that happen, extra beds would be retained at the Lime Walk facility.