Plans to alter mental health care under discussion

PEOPLE have been invited to have their say on major changes in mental health services in North Staffordshire.

A string of nine meetings starting today will seek public opinion on plans to make alterations to the provision run by Combined Healthcare Trust.

The plans, involving care for older patients and people with brain injuries and mental health rehabilitation, are:

Moving the Lymewood Ward for older people with mental health needs from Bradwell Hospital to Harplands Hospital, Hartshill, in a bid to give them more support, such as specialist doctors available 24-hours a day.

Moving some staff and services from hospital to the community for the brain-injured and sufferers from illnesses such as Huntington's Disease, epilepsy, dementia or sleep disorders.

Developing more rehabilitation and recovery care in the community.

The first three meetings about Lymewood ward are all at 10.30am, at the Rectory Road Community Centre, Milton Street, Shelton, today, at Earls Court Sheltered Housing Scheme, Miller Street, Newcastle, on Tuesday and at Salvation Army Centre, Salisbury Street, Leek, on February 16.

The fourth is on February 25, at 7.30pm, at the Alzheimer's Society North Staffs, Sapphire Room, Burslem Day Centre, Baddeley Street, Burslem.

Meetings to discuss changes for the brain injured are at Headway North Staffordshire, Headway House, Elder Road, Cobridge, on Thursday, at 6pm, at the Huntington's Disease Association, Burslem Day Centre, on February 15, at 7.30pm, and at the Epilepsy Support Group, The Dudson Centre, Hope Street, Hanley, on March 3, at 7pm.

A meeting on rehabilitation changes will be held at North Staffs Users Group, Rose Price Room, The Dudson Centre, on February 17, at 2pm.

A meeting to discuss all the proposals will be at the Churnet Room, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, on Tuesday, at 6.30pm.