Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/734/15266
From The Socialist newspaper, 19 September 2012
Report from Salford: Uniting to save mental health services
Steven North Salford Socialist Party
Following the success of the campaign to save day centres for the elderly and those with learning disabilities earlier this year, Salford city council will again be challenged on plans to make the most vulnerable pay for the crisis of capitalism.
Despite assurances given in the summer, the council and Greater Manchester West NHS Mental Health Trust will go ahead with proposals to cut jobs and remove key staff from community groups and drop-ins, before any consultation has taken place with the service users who rely on those facilities.
Staff and service users have worked together in the past to protect services and are well placed to take the council on.
A public meeting has been organised and a joint letter sent to Salford's newly elected Labour mayor, Ian Stewart, asking him to reverse the decision immediately.
Staff are considering the possibility of industrial action to defend their colleagues who face redundancy. Service users have already formed themselves into a campaign committee, appropriately entitled United Service Users Committee - or USUC!
Both groups come together on 1 October in a meeting organised by Salford Against the Cuts to launch a campaign to press the Mayor to cancel the plans.
We believe the reason for the lack of consultation is that both council and Trust are worried that service users will not only want to retain their groups and drop-ins, but will want to fight for the jobs of the care workers as well.
The campaign plans to link up with activists in Manchester who are already fighting against horrific attacks on their mental health services. We ask all readers to email Ian Stewart at citymayor@salford.gov.uk asking him to fulfil Salford's promise to vulnerable people and not to attack mental health services.
Public Meeting to Save Mental Health Services
Monday 1 October, 7-9pm, Swinton Royal British Legion, Cheetham Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 4UL
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In The Socialist 19 September 2012:
Socialist Party news and analysis
We can beat Con-Dems' austerity
All forces to the point of attack against austerity
Cable launches new attack on workers' rights
Global warming: Capitalists skating on thin ice
International socialist news and analysis
Marikana miners remain defiant
Education
Stop the deportation of London Met students
Interview with NUS vice-president for union development
Socialist Party feature
Hillsborough disaster: Truth is out, now justice
Socialist Party workplace news
Sparks' picket blockades Crossrail site
Workers die on tower cranes - Con-Dems cut safety regulations
HMRC seeks to axe workers' childcare
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Save Oaklands Pool - "This is what we pay our council tax for!"
Salford: Uniting to save mental health services
Save Hampshire residential care homes
Stop the fire service cuts in West Yorkshire
NSSN supporter invited to address RMT
Socialist Party women
Slutwalk: there's NO excuse for rape
Sexism - a product of capitalism
Socialist Party review
Review: "From dole queue to corner and back again"
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