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
Showing posts with label colchester. Show all posts
Showing posts with label colchester. Show all posts
Wednesday, 6 December 2006
Monday, 27 November 2006
Colchester: Evicted special needs nursery faces closure
Owners of a ‘lifeline’ special needs nursery say they have no choice but to close when council chiefs evict them, according to the Colchester Evening Gazette.
The Stepping Stones Nursery cares for more than 80 children each week, coming from as far afield as Norfolk, Suffolk and the London boroughs. It provides vital respite care for families and an important social opportunity for otherwise excluded youngsters.
The nursery, set up 16 years ago, has been asked to relocate by the council from its home at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Colchester. The transfer of adult education classes to the centre following the closure of Grey Friars College will mean there’s no longer room for the nursery.
As the nursery has nowhere to relocate to, it will be unable to continue providing care.
A special £100,000 sensory garden and room funded by community groups at the centre, will be wasted if the nursery is forced to leave.
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
The Stepping Stones Nursery cares for more than 80 children each week, coming from as far afield as Norfolk, Suffolk and the London boroughs. It provides vital respite care for families and an important social opportunity for otherwise excluded youngsters.
The nursery, set up 16 years ago, has been asked to relocate by the council from its home at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Colchester. The transfer of adult education classes to the centre following the closure of Grey Friars College will mean there’s no longer room for the nursery.
As the nursery has nowhere to relocate to, it will be unable to continue providing care.
A special £100,000 sensory garden and room funded by community groups at the centre, will be wasted if the nursery is forced to leave.
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
Labels:
colchester,
council cuts,
nurseries,
special needs
Colchester: Library cuts leave estate on the shelf
Plans for cuts in mobile library services will mean axeing trips to a fast-growing estate, reports the Colchester Evening Gazette.
Library bosses have also indefinitely postponed plans for a permanent libraery in High Woods, Colchester. Community services supremo Iris Pummell confirmed it would not be built, as there was no cash available.
Colchester councillor Gerard Oxford (Ind, High Woods) has said the double whammy would penalise elderly and disabled residents, and undermine work to combat illiteracy.
A number of other mobile library stops are set to go, including one at Brinkley Grove Primary School.
Brinkley Grove head teacher Gillian Jasper said: "The mobile library plays a key role in helping our children to enjoy reading and developing their reading skills. Lots of children have benefited greatly from having regular and easy access.
Mr Oxford added: "It’s very frustrating because this is only going to save them a few thousand pounds for each stop."
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
Library bosses have also indefinitely postponed plans for a permanent libraery in High Woods, Colchester. Community services supremo Iris Pummell confirmed it would not be built, as there was no cash available.
Colchester councillor Gerard Oxford (Ind, High Woods) has said the double whammy would penalise elderly and disabled residents, and undermine work to combat illiteracy.
A number of other mobile library stops are set to go, including one at Brinkley Grove Primary School.
Brinkley Grove head teacher Gillian Jasper said: "The mobile library plays a key role in helping our children to enjoy reading and developing their reading skills. Lots of children have benefited greatly from having regular and easy access.
Mr Oxford added: "It’s very frustrating because this is only going to save them a few thousand pounds for each stop."
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
Thursday, 23 November 2006
Trust set to wield axe again
Essential medical services look to be axed as the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust (PCT) tackles its £24.5 million debt, reports the Colchester Evening Gazette.
Last month the Trust admitted that it had inherited £16.5 million of debt when it was formed from the Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust in October.
But a new financial report has revealed the Trust is expected to be £24.5 million in the red at the end of this financial year.
External auditors KPMG, who have been brought in to address the crisis, will be looking at cutting and merging services in order to bring the deficit down before the end of March 2007.
Mental health services are thought to be particularly under the spotlight for cuts.
Sheila Bremner, chief executive of the Mid Essex PCT said: "We must do absolutely everything we possibly can to curtail spending in the near future. It is likely there will be a number of significant and difficult decisions to be taken by the board."
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
Last month the Trust admitted that it had inherited £16.5 million of debt when it was formed from the Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust in October.
But a new financial report has revealed the Trust is expected to be £24.5 million in the red at the end of this financial year.
External auditors KPMG, who have been brought in to address the crisis, will be looking at cutting and merging services in order to bring the deficit down before the end of March 2007.
Mental health services are thought to be particularly under the spotlight for cuts.
Sheila Bremner, chief executive of the Mid Essex PCT said: "We must do absolutely everything we possibly can to curtail spending in the near future. It is likely there will be a number of significant and difficult decisions to be taken by the board."
- Article contributed by: Mr & Mrs L.C. M, Colchester
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
