Edale House closure: Mental health care concerns raised

Two Manchester MPs have criticised a mental health trust, saying patient care is not being put first.

Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust has been condemned for its decision to close city centre psychiatric unit Edale House.

It plans to move patients to Park House at North Manchester General Hospital to cut costs.

The trust said the closure would have a “number of important benefits” to those who use their services.

It said it had engaged widely with service users, carers, staff and community groups to improve treatment and care.

MPs Tony Lloyd and John Leech spoke out at a support group for those with mental health problems.

‘Local service’

Mr Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester for Manchester Withington, said it was important for patients to have a local service.

“I drove up to North Manchester yesterday, it is hard enough to get there by car, but getting there by public transport is significantly more difficult,” he said.

“I just think that they are making a massive mistake by relocating all these central Manchester patients up to north Manchester.

“I think the first issue for me is about having a local service.

“The trust has argued that Edale is not fit for purpose. At a meeting yesterday with the Manchester Users’ Network, it was described as state-of-the-art. Now they both can’t be right.”

Edale House has 82 beds, and treats people with dementia and other conditions.