Mental health fears as charity pulls out of Aberdeenshire
Mental Health Aberdeen is closing all its services in Aberdeenshire - saying the local authority's demands will cause "untold damage" to people in the North East
Mental Health Aberdeen is closing all of its services in Aberdeenshire - saying the local authority's demands will cause "untold damage" to people in the North East. It's because of council's redesigned service provision - which will mean providing cover seven days a week, over a wider area, and for less money.
It means 26 members of staff face redundancy, and the local authority is looking for a new provider from the start of next year.
Astrid Whyte, chief executive of MHA, said: “We are saddened and disappointed that this decision has had to be made. It has not been taken lightly but we cannot in good faith go forward due to the number of concerns we have with the changes due to be made to the way mental health care is provided across Aberdeenshire.
“Our priority is foremost with the welfare of all people with mental health difficulties. We have worked tirelessly in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to both expand and improve the level of support service users receive. MHA operates a high level of service which we are proud of and maintaining this would not be possible with increased demands on staff alongside a reduction in funding. Meeting the targets set by the council would be undeliverable within budget. It would also not be possible to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers or service users which is unacceptable to us.
“We find it deeply concerning that under the criteria set out by the council those deemed outwith the moderate to severe brackets would be signposted elsewhere. This is, in our view, a worrying way to categorise those who are in need of support for mental health recovery.
“We believe that there is absolutely no correlation between the stated service requirements as laid out in the tender and the Scottish Mental Health Strategy, which prioritises early intervention to avoid further harm to an individual. How can this be achieved when the proposed guidelines would have the effect of only treating those deemed to be in immediate or moderate need of assistance? It is also disappointing to us that MHA, and to our understanding, other third sector organisations, were not consulted while the tender was being drawn up.
“These factors, among others, have left us with no other choice. Our decision not to tender for the provision of mental health services in Aberdeenshire is a hugely difficult one which has large repercussions for us as a charity. We are currently in consultation with 26 members of staff that will have to be made redundant as a result of the impending closure of our services in Aberdeenshire.
“Our current contract with Aberdeenshire Council runs until December 31. As of 1 January 2017, a new service will be in place. It had been our hope to build on the services we have worked hard to establish in Aberdeenshire and tender to provide this new service, but this is not possible under the redesigned service.
“It is our belief that untold damage will be done to mental health support services in Aberdeenshire if this proposed service goes ahead and we would urge the council to reconsider. If there were to be a change in circumstances as well as an ability to discuss this type of mental health provision further, MHA would be pleased to engage further in the tender process.”
A spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council said: "Aberdeenshire Council requires a mental health service which promotes the achievement of mentally well and inclusive communities in which people who experience mental ill health are enabled to recover and achieve their personal outcomes.
"We therefore invited organisations to tender to provide equitable services in North, Central and South Aberdeenshire, supporting those recovering from mental illness and helping them to participate in ordinary mainstream social, leisure, educational, and cultural activities alongside other members of the community.
"Part of the service requirement will be to work with Aberdeenshire Council and partners to reduce stigma around mental health and promoting local events/activities that support recovery. We also want to provide a counselling service which people can be referred to. Following a successful tendering exercise it is envisaged the new services will start on 1st January 2017."