Mental health nurses go on strike

The trust says patients will not be put at risk

More than 250 mental health nurses have gone on strike in Manchester over plans to change the way patients are treated in the community.

Staff at Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust are staging the one-day action on Wednesday.

The trust wants social workers to take over some of the responsibilities of community nurses.

Unison has said the changes in working practice will mean job losses for nurses and occupational therapists.

Union members also believe the changes will affect the standard of patient care.

City picketed

But in a statement, the trust denied that patients would be put at risk.

It said: "The changes are the result of a public consultation and will see a new mental health assessment unit set up at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, and new more specialised community mental health teams.

"Four million pounds of additional money will be invested each year in Manchester, and there will be an increase of around 40 jobs.

"There are no job cuts planned by the trust in relation to the introduction of Change in Mind.

"The trust wants to avoid industrial action as it has concerns that the action will have an adverse affect on patients and their carers."

The health workers are to picket in Manchester city centre and in Chorlton.