Concerned Oldham mental health staff have raised the alarm over a services cuts crisis in an anonymous letter.

A letter to the Star said the group felt it “had a duty to raise concerns” over the way Tory cuts are destroying patient care. 

“Over the past few years it has become clear that the services available to people with mental health issues have become increasingly under pressure,” it read.

“Therapists have long waiting lists, crisis teams cannot respond quickly enough, dedicated mental health workers are buckling under increased workloads and either going on long-term sick, seeking other careers or being redeployed to other specialist areas.”

The letter detailed the effect this was having on patients in Oldham and was also sent to Oldham MPs and Oldham Council. 

“This has led to a reduced service and increased suffering for clients. Waiting lists for assessments and support are increasing in addition to cuts to staff and there has also been a drastic cut in practical provision,” the group declared. 

Complete removal of housing support for people who have spent long periods in hospital was raised as a particular worry for staff. 

The letter also expressed concerns for the future, saying: “The latest cuts represent yet another blow to mental health services which are already in a crisis.

“Oldham Council has made a promise to treat mental health and physical healthcare equally, but continued cuts to mental health services call this into question.”

Campaign group Health Emergency director John Lister said the warning was applicable nationally, particularly since the coalition put GP managers in charge of mental health budgets.

He said: “This is wake up time for commissioners. People warned that the track record of GPs in mental health wasn’t very good. Putting them in charge of mental health services has seen them milk budgets in favour of other areas.

“The system is in danger of collapse and lasting damage will be done to already vulnerable people.” 

Oldham Council adult and children’s services director Paul Cassidy said: “We are continuing to try and protect our high risk services, such as mental health, but unfortunately all our services are facing challenges due to reductions in our budgets from central government.”