Thousands of residents in Kingston upon Thames will be affected by cuts in provision for mental health patients by Kingston Council and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, according to local campaigners in the Christian Peoples Alliance party (CPA). The CPA is warning that pressure on individuals from the economic recession and stagnant jobs' market could lead to additional demands on existing services, not fewer. It has written to South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust - which delivers care at Tolworth Hospital - demanding guarantees that inpatient care will continue to be provided in the borough, following news that it is to end at Tolworth. Last year, Kingston Hospital said it was cutting £600,000 from its mental health budget. Next week, Kingston's Budget Council will consider making their own cuts this year and next of over £240,000, amounting to nearly 8 per cent of its present budget for mental health social care services.
Pray: for the situation within the NHS with all the proposed cuts. Pray that wisdom would be the guide over all the decisions. (Jas.1:5)