Local MP meets with residents to discuss Millbrook Unit

David Rutley has met with constituents to discuss the impact of potentially losing local mental health services.

Mrs Moira Harris met with Mr Rutley to talk about her experiences of local mental health services and her strong concerns over the proposals to relocate services 40 miles away to Chester.

Mrs Harris' son was diagnosed with mental health issues 30 years ago and during that time he has received treatment on a number of occasions at the Millbrook Unit in Macclesfield. The service is just a short drive from her home where her son is currently recovering after being sectioned at the end of last year.

Mrs Harris has grave concerns over the possibility that she could face a three hour, 80 mile, round trip to visit her son, should he require inpatient care in future.

The family have already experienced the issues of distance care, and the impact it can have on seeing and supporting their son, when he was a patient at the Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral for four months.

Mr Rutley said: "I was concerned to learn of Mrs Harris' son's experiences, which highlight the serious implications for often vulnerable adult mental health patients, and their families and carers, of the proposed removal of inpatient beds from Macclesfield to Chester."

The MP for Macclesfield went on to say: "I have heard similar concerns raised by other residents... I shall continue to work with East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, our local mental health patient and user advocacy group, as well as local MPs Fiona Bruce and Esther McVey, to keep adult mental health beds (in the town)".

He encourages local residents and patients to put forward their views in an attempt to stop the move during the ongoing consultation, before it closes.