In April 2024 Edinburgh Collective Advocacy staff met with a group of people who receive support in their own home because of their mental health issues, to inform them of their right to Independent Advocacy. The people we spoke to told us they were worried and felt they had not been given sufficient information about care reviews conducted by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP).
Many people with experience of mental health issues rely on essential support services. These services are vital to ensure people have an acceptable standard of living and help them stay mentally well. So when in April 2024, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership announced plans for savings within mental health services, people with mental health issues were worried. They were concerned that the care reviews would be a means to make savings. They were, and still are, worried that they may lose some support that they depend upon. Because of their concerns the people that CAPS works with, who all have lived experience of mental health issues, wanted to be in direct communication with the people who make the decisions at EHSCP.
The voices of people who would receive a care review
CAPS Edinburgh Collective Advocacy workers arranged a meeting between people who would receive a review and EHSCP officials. This was a space for people to ask questions and for EHSCP to listen to them. People with lived experience, and who may be affected by care reviews, were central to the meeting. They highlighted some key concerns. People said they were concerned about the lack of clear communication from EHSCP. They were worried that support deemed ‘inessential’ by the care review process may actually be something that they really need to have an acceptable standard of living. Find out more about the meeting and what people wanted here. Some of what people said is below.
Indefinite waiting for review or information is hard as a person dealing with lots of other things
I want to have a date [for the review]. I am very anxious and worried. I only get support with very practical things in the house to survive, not socialising and things that improve my quality of life. Without support I feel that I effectively cease to exist.
It feels like the council is not communicating with people. Communication relies on service providers, the communication strategy is not working.