As seen here, some psychs are upset to be no longer on the government dole. I recall stories about death rates in hospitals going down when doctors were on strike. Maybe we'll see more of the same here, with mental health statistics improving when the psychs are our of business ;-)
Furious NHS staff staged a mass walk-out at a dramatic board meeting in which health chiefs voted unanimously to close Stroud's mental health unit Weavers Croft.
Psychiatrist Dr Toby Moate exploded with a coarsely-worded outburst as Paul Winterbottom, medical director of Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust, talked of doctors' support for the plans.
As executives gawped in amazement, Dr Moate and around 30 colleagues walked out of the meeting at Gloucester's Guildhall arts centre on Thursday.
continued...
Speaking after the meeting, Dr Moate said medical staff were 'disgusted by the spin that is being generated' around the proposals.
"Obviously I can't call him a liar but he's really pushing the truth," he said.
"The consultants have said they will try to work as best they can with these proposals.
"But none of us know anyone else who agrees with the speed and extent of these changes.
"We feel things we say are being twisted and misinterpreted."
Thursday's decision followed a frank meeting on Wednesday night between directors and members of public sector worker's union UNSION.
Despite thousands of objections, the unit is now expected to close before Christmas.
Around 100 members of staff could be made redundant.
Board members agreed to the cuts despite what chief executive Jeff James described as 'a medium risk' of local health watchdogs appealing to Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt, who has the power to overturn the decision.
A spokesman for the trust said Dr Moate had misinterpreted Dr Winterbottom's remarks.
"It's often the case when people are passionate about expressing their own views that they are less good at hearing what has been said rather than what they thought was said," she said.
"This may be understandable but it doesn't justify disruptive foulmouthed public protest or repeated misrepresentation of what was said."
She added that the trust has not interfered with staff expressing their views and believes in the importance of their contribution.
Health campaigners were disappointed by the outcome but are looking to the future.
"I'm obviously very disappointed that the trust didn't listen to the fairly powerful arguments that were made," said Jo Smith, chairman of the Stroud and District branch of the Alzheimer's Society.
"I just hope it's sent up to the Secretary of State and I hope she'll overturn it."
Meanwhile, David Miller, chair of the League of Friends of Stroud Hospitals, remained hopeful about the possibility of a Social Enterprise Model, which would see the unit run by the community.
Trust executives have promised to discuss the idea with representatives from other NHS organisations before their next board meeting on Wednesday, September 20.
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