Colchester: £4m health cuts fears

Mental health services in north Essex face cuts of up to £4 million, reports the Colchester Evening Gazette.

Beds could go at key outpatient units like The Lakes in Colchester and Peter Bruff ward at Clacton Hospital, as NHS bosses aim to plug budget black holes.

North East Essex, Mid Essex and West Essex primary care trusts (PCTs) are all reviewing the services they commission from North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

As well as Colchester and Tendring beds, areas under "particular scrutiny" include home visits and long-term care for elderly patients.

The blow comes hard on the heels of evidence that already too little is being done to help those with mental illness, which affects one in four of the UK population.

An official study revealed that an average of 52 people a year – one a week – are killed by violent patients released into the community.

A lack of support at home was blamed for figures showing 1,300 mentally ill people commit suicide every year.

A spokesman for the Mid Essex PCT said: "The PCT is looking to all its partner NHS organisations to endorse a joint approach to achieving efficiency savings."

Colchester MP Bob Russell said: "I believe what we are witnessing is further evidence that the NHS is in financial crisis."

- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester