The Petition of friends and users of the Archway Centre, Walsall,
Declares that the Petitioners object to the cutting by Re-think of funds and resources at the Archway Centre, Walsall, which has already led to the closure of food services at the centre—a vital service for many users who find it difficult to cook for themselves; notes that the Petitioners believe that the intention is to reduce the number of drop in sessions and to send service users out into the community, but the community is not qualified and does not have the facilities to deal with people who have mental health problems; and further notes that cuts to the funding of the Archway Centre may lead to more people relying on the services of the mental health team in Walsall and an increase in admissions to Dorothy Pattison Hospital.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take all possible steps to ensure that the Archway Centre, Walsall, receives adequate funding.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Valerie Vaz, Official Report, 12 October 2010; Vol. 516, c. 302.]
[P000864]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
The issues raised in the petition are local matters and my Department will bring these issues to the attention of NHS West Midlands.
I am advised that NHS Walsall and Walsall Council have been reviewing jointly commissioned local mental health day services. Following consultation on proposed changes, a report was presented to the Walsall Social Care and Inclusion Scrutiny and Performance Panel on 7 October 2010. The Scrutiny Panel was satisfied that due process had been carried out and accepted the recommendations of the report.