Local MP Visits Macclesfield’s New Mental Health Ward

For the first time since its opening, local MP, David Rutley, met with Tim Welch, Chief Executive of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust (CWP), to visit Mulberry Ward, an inpatient facility for people facing serious mental health challenges.

Based on the Lime Walk site on Victoria Road, Mulberry Ward, opened its doors in February 2020. However, due to the pandemic, this was the first opportunity David had to see the new facility and the support services available. As part of a £4.5 million investment programme to modernise facilities and to improve local mental health services, CWP – our local mental health service provider - opened both Mulberry Ward and Silk Ward, with Silk Ward providing specialist inpatient treatment and assessments for people living with dementia.

With the name chosen by service users, carers and staff, Mulberry Ward provides 26 mixed gender beds all with en-suite bathrooms and features an open garden, courtyard and gym facilities. David was pleased to see this facility up and running, and to hear the positive comments staff and patients had about the new building, after having actively campaigned for mental health wards to stay in Macclesfield and not move to Chester as was previously proposed.

It was important for David to learn more about the plans that are in place to further improve and develop the support on offer, in line with Care Quality Commission guidance. Mr Welch also highlighted the work of the Cheshire East Mental Health Alliance – a new partnership which has seen the NHS team up with Cheshire East Council, Citizens Advice, East Cheshire Housing Consortium and other voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations to provide wide ranging support on a number of issues that can adversely impact mental health. In addition, they discussed the vital service being provided at the Weston Hub Crisis Café - a safe space in Macclesfield for people struggling with emotional and psychological distress.

David also had the chance to meet two members of staff, Megan Burns a trained occupational therapist and Leanne Coombs an occupational therapist apprentice, who were both nominated by their peers for the Going the Extra Mile Award. This is a Trust-wide award which acknowledges and celebrates members of staff that make a real difference to the experience of patients, visitors, and colleagues.

Tim Welch, Chief Executive of CWP said:

“It was great to welcome David to Mulberry Ward for the first time so that he could see the excellent work being done in the Macclesfield constituency to support people with mental health issues.

It is important for us to share more about the amazing and compassionate work our teams do here and continue to break-down stigma. Once admitted to our care, our teams work in a person-centred way focussing on safety and rehabilitation – all whilst keeping what is important to the individual person and their family at the heart.

A big thank you to David for helping to celebrate Megan and Leanne’s ‘Going the Extra Mile Award’. CWP is built on the care, dedication and professionalism of our staff and it was great to share this moment together.”

Speaking after the meeting David said:

“Having actively campaigned to ensure Macclesfield retained its mental health wards, I am very pleased to see the new Mulberry Ward up and running. The dedicated work of all staff, in an often challenging environment, to ensure that local adults experiencing mental health challenges can continue to receive the treatment that they need, is to be highly praised.”

Pictured - David Rutley with Tim Welch at the Mulberry Ward.