Minister backs Argyll and Bute mental health plan

SCOTLAND’S health secretary has formally approved the fourth of five options for the future shape of adult mental health services in Argyll and Bute.

Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Government’s cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing, rubber-stamped the preference of both the Argyll and Bute community health partnership (CHP) and the full board of NHS Highland.

The new service model, which is expected to be in place by September 2012, will include enhanced community healthcare teams, integrated with Argyll and Bute Council’s social work services; a specialist day assessment and treatment service, including an education centre; and a purpose-built, modern in-patient facility in Lochgilphead, to replace Argyll and Bute Hospital.

The consultation period was launched in January and sought the views of service users, carers, staff and members of the public on five possible options for the future shape of adult mental health services in the area.

Bill Brackenridge, the chairman of the Argyll and Bute CHP, said: “I am now delighted that the cabinet secretary for health and wellbeing has given us formal approval to move forward with the implementation of our proposals. This is good news for service users, carers and staff.

“I would thank everyone who took part in the consultation and would like to highlight that Argyll & Bute CHP will continue to work with staff, service users, carers and our local communities as we move forward with our plans.”

The approved service option includes the following elements: more support for self-help and voluntary organisations; a new primary care service to support GPs; enhanced community teams integrated with social work services; crisis response capability in the community and assertive outreach; a specialist day assessment and treatment service, including an education centre; and a purpose built modern in-patient facility in Lochgilphead, replacing Argyll and Bute Hospital and including 20-26 acute/rehabilitation beds, six intensive psychiatric care unit beds and ten dementia assessment beds, with a further 20 dementia continuing care beds accommodated in the neighbouring Mid Argyll Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Argyll and Bute CHP is expected to face a £500,000 overspend on its budget at the end of the current financial year, with the situation blamed on “anticipated cost pressures” such as laboratory agency staffing, medical locums and individual care package costs.

The NHS Highland area as a whole faces a forecast overspend of £3 million by April 2010, according to papers submitted to the meeting of the Highland NHS board in Inverness last week.