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Proposals to change mental health services will be aired at consultation events in Benbecula and Barra.

 

The health board’s preferred change is to provide a fully community-based service with better links across agencies.

 

There would be provision for access to beds for up to 72 hours in all three hospitals across the Western Isles, staffed by community mental health team members.

 

Longer term hospitalisations would be in mainland centres.

 

This option was backed by a special assessment panel, made up of patients, caregivers and providers, in December. It is also supported by the Integration Joint Board and the NHS board.

Mental health services redesign in Uist and Barra

6 April 2017

An alternative idea is to have a community based service without hospital beds beyond accommodating people for a very short time before transfer to a mainland hospital.

 

Another option is to implement the NHS changes proposed in 2013 to reduce the number of mental health and dementia beds in Stornoway, increase slightly the community mental health service, and not change the role of the other agencies involved in mental health care

 

NHS Western Isles said: “We are doing this work because we believe we can make the services better by redesigning them, and have asked for the help and input of service users, caregivers, and service providers in doing so.”

Consultation meetings are taking place in Barra on 19th April and the following day in Benbecula.