THE newly elected Middlewich labour candidate has said the death of Robin Williams highlights concern surrounding the mental health provision.
Clr Darren Price, who is standing for the Congleton constituency in next year’s general election, claims the Hollywood star’s death last week should cause concern to residents of Middlewich.
Clr Price said: “The tragic premature death of Robin Williams and the coverage surrounding his history of depression highlights an issue of real concern to all of us and that is one of the quality of our mental health provision.
“Recently released figures for the NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG and the NHS South Cheshire CCG reveal that they spent just 7.96 per cent and 7.22 per cent respectively of their budgets on mental health services last despite an estimated 15 per cent of the local population having a mental health condition.
“Patients in Cheshire are bearing the brunt of an alarming postcode lottery in mental health services.
“I strongly believe that mental health should be treated no differently to physical health and it is wrong that vulnerable people face this alarming postcode lottery.”
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