MP’s visits new Mental Health war

Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, met with Tim Welch, Chief Executive of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust (CWP), to visit the new Mulberry Ward, an inpatient facility for people facing serious mental health challenges. 

Based on the Lime Walk site on Victoria Road, Mulberry Ward, opened its doors in February 2020. However, due to the pandemic, this was the first opportunity David had to see the new facility and the support services available. As part of a £4.5 million investment programme to modernise facilities and to improve local mental health services, CWP – our local mental health service provider – opened both Mulberry Ward and Silk Ward, with Silk Ward providing specialist inpatient treatment and assessments for people living with dementia. 

With the name chosen by service users, carers and staff, Mulberry Ward provides 26 mixed gender beds all with en-suite bathrooms and features an open garden, courtyard and gym facilities. David was pleased to see this facility up and running, and to hear the positive comments staff and patients had about the new building, after having actively campaigned for mental health wards to stay in Macclesfield and not move to Chester as was previously proposed. 

David also met two members of staff, Megan Burns a trained occupational therapist and Leanne Coombs an occupational therapist apprentice, who were both nominated by their peers for the Going the Extra Mile Award. This is a Trust-wide award which acknowledges and celebrates members of staff that make a real difference to the experience of patients, visitors, and colleagues.