PROPOSALS to redesign mental health services in Bolton could be in jeopardy after a Greater Manchester authority pulled out of plans to close mental health beds at its local hospital.

Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Bolton, Salford and Trafford were in discussions with Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Trust to move services into the community.

However, Trafford CCG has backed out because of strong opposition to closing the mental health unit for elderly people at Trafford General Hospital.

A consultation to remove Trafford’s 21 mental health beds and relocate them to Woodlands Hospital in Little Hulton was launched by Greater Manchester West (GMW) Trust on January 6.

But Urmston councillor Jo Harding argued there was very little public awareness of the plans.

The leaders of all three political groups on Trafford Council welcomed the U-turn.

If GMW’s original proposals were to go ahead, patients would be looked after in their homes — with a 24/7 on-call service and three visits a day by clinicians — or they woould be taken to Woodlands Hospital in Little Hulton.

The changes would save £2.1 million, but health chiefs have committed to invest £1.15 million in community services, including £307,000 in the home-based treatment team.

Another £5.86 million will be spent rebuilding the Woodlands site.

GMW Trust chiefs say the consultation will still go ahead, but admits “affordability” is a problem now that Trafford CCG has withdrawn.