Over this year and last, workers in Manchester Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIS) have been on strike for full funding of their much-needed services. We spoke with a member of the local branch of UNISON about their ongoing fight.
Why have Manchester EIS workers been on strike?
Four years ago, NHS England ring-fenced extra funding for EIS services across the country. However the Manchester service did not did not receive the £1.3 million allocated. A joint grievance with UNISON and Unite has been ongoing for over two years, fighting for this money and an explanation.
The service is woefully understaffed. This has resulted in caseload sizes nearly double what is recommended, which in real terms mean the service is not able to offer the intensive support the service users require. At the moment, the service is not able to deliver the necessary standard of care, resulting in more service users requiring repeat hospital admissions and ongoing secondary care.
What impact has all of this had on service users?
There was a recent article published in the Manchester Evening News which shed light on this. It documented how people with severe and enduring mental health needs in Manchester are twice as likely to die prematurely than in the rest of the country.
Due to the massive caseload sizes that Community Mental Health Teams face, transfers are significantly delayed – over several years in some cases – for people who need ongoing support. This delay in transfers is artificially inflating the caseload sizes, which affects the quality and safety of care delivered.
What sort of response have you received from the community?
There has been a great response! We’ve had visible support on the picket lines from members of the public, staff from other areas and community organisations. Staff on strike have informed people in their caseload of the reasons they will not be in work and have received an overwhelming positive response, as they know this is for improving the service and the care they receive.
What is the next step for your dispute?
The current mandate for strike action and work to rule has been extended until June, so there is the possibility of further strike days. It will be a priority to keep up the pressure on our employer.
We also want to get the message of the strike out there, so we will be very shortly organising a public meeting in Manchester about our dispute, raising our wider concerns about community mental health services in Manchester.
What can people do to help you in your fight?
- A national petition for funding for secondary mental health services to be debated in Parliament has been started. Please sign, promote it with friends, family and colleagues.
- If you are local, please attend our public meeting. Information will be publicised on our X page – @MancStrikeNHS.
- Ask your union branch if someone involved in the strike can speak at a meeting, and consider a donation to our strike fund. Contact us at MancStrikeMH@yahoo.com.
