We need a consistent view on cuts to mental health services

Published: 22 September, 2011

• THE news that Unison is against the proposed cuts in community services by the Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust (Letters, September 15) shows that people who are really familiar with the services – the service users, their carers and those who directly provide the services – are clear about the risks these changes will make.

It is only the chief executive and medical director, Wendy Wallace and Sylvia Tang, and the other most senior managers at the trust who do not seem to appreciate the effect that the closure of nearly 100 beds and the sale of St Luke’s Hospital has already had on the services.

Yet continue with further and deeper cuts.

What is worrying is that there has been no comment from the mental health user organisation, the Islington Borough User Group (iBUG).  

Surely they are against these cuts?

Why don’t they say so?

Can it be for the reason, so often given, that they are not an independent group but rather always go along with the proposals of their paymasters?

There is a need for a consistency of approach from all those who are affected by these cuts to the mental health services and any division is likely to be exploited by the trust for its own ends.

The cause will not be helped if iBUG gives the impression that it is not against any of them.

ESTELLE SUMMERS
Adelaide Road, NW1