January
19, 2007 - Hannah Walker
A few weeks back the South London Press handed in a petition to the health
secretary Patricia Hewitt to save the Maudsley emergency clinic from closure.
Myself and my team, accompanied by various campaigners travelled up to
her office on a freezing day and handed in more than 2,000 signatures.
Many more signatures have since arrived.
No one from Ms Hewitt's office could be bothered to come down and accept
it. In fact we didn't even get a reply that it had been received. Can
I ask where our names are now sitting, under someone's desk, in a cupboard,
in the toilet, perhaps in the bin? I want it back, thanks.
Now in my mind the lack of response is just plain rude. However, it's
also a kick in the teeth for democracy. Thousands of our readers completely
blanked.
Well public opinion may not matter to you Ms Hewitt, (except perhaps during
election season) but it matters to us. Not only has the decision been
made to close the clinic but we have been unable to get adequate answers
as to what is to take the place of the clinic. This is shoddy, diabolical
and smells of disaster. And this is like a red rag to a bull.
Let's hope health secretary Patricia Hewitt never suffers from mental
illness.
Now the thing about mental illness is that it can affect anyone, anytime.
Okay, so some people spend their lives battling mental illness, which
may develop in childhood, and they have managed to control it through
drugs or counselling treatment. Although for some people a sudden episode
can trigger a crisis and for others it may be drug or drink induced. I'm
no expert but there are a whole host of reasons as to why someone may
suddenly need care. It could be you, it could be me.
Many people suffering do manage to hold down jobs without anyone knowing
of their hidden anguish. In fact the most distinguished judges, barristers,
company chiefs and other professionals may have mental health problems.
It's sort of okay for those with private medical insurance, they can be
treated privately until their insurance runs dry. And believe me, once
it does, the private sector throws them quite literally onto the street,
directed to the NHS. And the NHS is superb. The Maudsley, though underfunded
for so long offers a magnificent service. The emergency mental health
clinic was just one of the vital services, offering a lifeline for so
many. Not just to the patients but to their families who can be devastated
by mental illness.
Now in her wisdom Patricia Hewitt has ignored the people who know best.
The people who use the service.
We're not satisfied which is why we'll be demanding a meeting with the
health bosses and Patricia Hewitt over the next few weeks. And supported
by our South London MPs, campaigners and a whole host of organisations,
we will fight on for a better service. Your decision Ms Hewitt simply
stinks.
Have a good weekend.
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