As the fence goes up around specialist mental health hospital the Henderson the NHS plans its largest ever public consultation - involving 62 primary care trusts.
Recent changes to the Government's commissioning process means that referrals to the therapeutic community have been dwindling. It has had to close temporarily and it is uncertain whether it will reopen. A public consultation is being draughted to assess the effect of the closure on the country's health service.
But a campaign group made up of staff, ex-residents and MPs has stepped up its efforts to urge the Government to rethink.
At a meeting last week, which was supposed to be a press conference until South West London and St George's Mental Health Trust ruled that no media be allowed on its premises, the group decided to approach Labour ministers in order to garner cross-party support for the campaign.
"It was good to hear that the ministers were willing to work cross-party to save the hospital," said Henderson consultant Dr Diana Menzies. The campaign already has the support of Liberal Democrat MPs Tom Brake, Paul Burstow and Norman Lamb, as well as Conservative MP Anne Milton and parliamentary candidate Philippa Stroud.
Henderson campaigner and ex-resident Leila Ruttley said that
"We really want to fight for this. What really stuck with me about the meeting was that we had people who were residents 50 years ago there next to those who had left five weeks ago. We have some powerful testimones from ex-residents which we are hoping to use in some constructive way. ,"
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One such testimony comes from Gary McKnight who claims he would not be alive today it was not for the Henderson.
"Before I went my consultants thought my personality disorder was incurable. They had me on so much medication I was like a zombie, I was five stones heavier than I am now and I was constantly trying to commit suicide. The Henderson took me off medication and taught me how to deal with my disorder. I feel terrible for all the people out there who won't be able to get treatment here," he said.
See tc-of.org.uk for more information about the campaign.
Posted by: anita bracey, birmigham on 1:33pm Fri 16 May 08
I am an ex-resident and was at the campaign day described above. It was painful being there when fences were being put up, but I trust that they will come down one day. It is a credit to media who are picking up and running with the story and MPs mentioned above who are supporting us so well. We will need to build on this though. The fight for Henderson is not over by a long shot.
I am an ex-resident and was at the campaign day described above. It was painful being there when fences were being put up, but I trust that they will come down one day. It is a credit to media who are picking up and running with the story and MPs mentioned above who are supporting us so well. We will need to build on this though. The fight for Henderson is not over by a long shot.
When I look at the chain link fence around that now surrounds The Henderson Hospital, it brings two things to mind. The first thing is, when I visualise the green fence, I see a dome, with Ivan Lewis and Peter Houghton (trying their hardest to keep the Hendo out of the public eye. Placing a huge dome over the top of the Hendo, may just suit their needs.
The second thought that comes to mind, is how the chain link fence could represent every resident, past and present, every staff member, again past and present and how many of us have joined together to fight the ludicrous plan to close the Henderson Hospital forever. Each link showing how united we are in our campaign and how strong the bond has become because it.
I would like to think of the fence as a measure not only to keep the Hendo safe but also serving to keep Peter Houghton and his cronies out.
This situation is not like the infamous 10p tax blunder, once the bulldozers move in, you can’t just wave a magic wand and hope it all goes away.
Stop and thing about WHAT you are doing and start heeding the warnings sighs you are being given. The Labour Party needs to wake up and smell the coffee, before it gets cold.
http://savethehender
son.forumotion.com/i
ndex.htm
When I look at the chain link fence around that now surrounds The Henderson Hospital, it brings two things to mind. The first thing is, when I visualise the green fence, I see a dome, with Ivan Lewis and Peter Houghton (trying their hardest to keep the Hendo out of the public eye. Placing a huge dome over the top of the Hendo, may just suit their needs.
The second thought that comes to mind, is how the chain link fence could represent every resident, past and present, every staff member, again past and present and how many of us have joined together to fight the ludicrous plan to close the Henderson Hospital forever. Each link showing how united we are in our campaign and how strong the bond has become because it.
I would like to think of the fence as a measure not only to keep the Hendo safe but also serving to keep Peter Houghton and his cronies out.
This situation is not like the infamous 10p tax blunder, once the bulldozers move in, you can’t just wave a magic wand and hope it all goes away.
Stop and thing about WHAT you are doing and start heeding the warnings sighs you are being given. The Labour Party needs to wake up and smell the coffee, before it gets cold.
Posted by: Steve Holloway, London on 11:43am Mon 19 May 08
The Henderson Hospital is a globally respected institution and is the model for many "therapeutic community" treatment centres around the world.
Research has shown its effectiveness at treating its selected patient group.
The only issue here is how this hospital and the other "therpeutic communities" in the country should be funded. Surely it is not beyond the wit of this government to find a way to do this.
The Henderson Hospital is a globally respected institution and is the model for many "therapeutic community" treatment centres around the world.
Research has shown its effectiveness at treating its selected patient group.
The only issue here is how this hospital and the other "therpeutic communities" in the country should be funded. Surely it is not beyond the wit of this government to find a way to do this.
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