SIR: I have just been to visit our new Bolton District Hospital, an excellent job, except for the John Mackay Clinic.

Why are so many put back into society without any training of any kind. I know there are Drop-in Centres, but that is not the answer.

It is 1996 not 1926 - Dr Leyberg would turn in his grave if he knew of so many young lives just thrown away. How many suicides in the last five years?

It's hard enough to get a job today if you're fit and well, so what chance have people got who suffer from mental health problems?

When I saw the rise our MPs gave themselves, it made me sick. We need more training and occupational therapy for the mentally ill and more compassion and help from the public.

S McKenzie, Melbourne Road, Deane

A BOLTON Hospitals' Trust spokesman said: "The Trust is committed to delivering high quality community and hospital based mental health services. There are many elements to this commitment including the recent sectorisation of the district and the formation of six multi-disciplinary adult community mental health teams and two elderly community mental health teams.

"The Trust is working with the Health Authority to develop services in the community whilst ensuring the hospital based services are maintained and improved and recognises mental health as a priority service.

"In 1995/6 the Health Authority invested £680,000 for the development of the community based mental health teams. Investment has also been made in the accommodation and facilities in the mental health unit. In September the Trust will be opening a new £905,000 rehabilitation unit on the Bolton general Hospital site and we are currently awaiting the outcome of a bid for £1.7m to build a new acute ward and intensive care unit for mental health.

"The longer term plan is to transfer the outpatient facilities from John McKay clinic up into the Rivington unit, which was opened in 1986.

"Some outpatient services are delivered from Giles house which also houses the community alcohol team.

"The Trust is also drawing up plans to improve the facilities for the continuing care of elderly patients with a mental health problem."

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