Rethink Mental Illness Manchester Group

Today I've spoken about our Mental Health Wish List campaign at an event organised by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust . The Wish List is our four top priorities for improving services in Manchester - see an earlier blog post that explains it in more detail . We've been asking commissioners and providers to respond. We got nothing from local councillors and had a meeting with commissioners NHS Manchester (who are set to be abolished under the government's health reform plans). However, the most productive response has been from Manchester Mental Health Trust. They're putting together a formal written response, we spoke about the Wish List at their recent AGM, and today have been at their 'Effectiveness Day' to do the same. The best part about today for me was getting new wishes from the audience. Here they are: Wishes about services... Continuity of service – the cumulative impact of closure, such as losing established relationships, are are often

In celebration of World Mental Health Day this October, we’re organising an evening event all about putting carers and service users at the heart of mental health. With the government promising to ‘put the patient at the heart’ of healthcare, increasing political interest in professionals, service users and carers working together to ‘co-design’ services, and changes at a local level with the launch of Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, the issue of carer and service user involvement is a hot topic. But what will these changes mean in practice and how can carers and service users influence this agenda? Come along to find out more, discuss the issues and input into our campaign for service user and carer involvement. Wednesday 13th October 2010, 5:30pm – 7:30pm Manchester Carers Centre , Vulcan Mill, Pollard St, Manchester, M4 7AN Everyone welcome, food and drink provided Speakers include: Patrick Cahoon from Manchester Mental Heath and Social Care Trust, on the Trust’s new