TRAFFORD mental health patients are still losing out to their neighbours in Bolton and Salford, according to patients’ representatives and politicians.

The claims come after Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Trust gained foundation status on February 1, which the Trust says will give it more financial freedom and local people a greater say in the way services are developed.

Its name has now changed to Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.

But Graham Brady, the MP for Altrincham and Sale West, says his constituents still face unacceptable delays in receiving treatment for mental illness, despite some progress.

He called Trafford the "poor relative" of the Trust and said: "Even patients within areas that are relatively deprived, like Partington, are still having to wait much longer for services than in Bolton and Salford.

"I hope that the foundation status will improve the situation, but Trafford definitely suffers at the expense of Salford and Bolton."

Waiting times have improved since the Metro News first highlighted the issue in July last year, when the average time between referral and first appointment at one Altrincham practice was 138 weeks.

In neighbouring Salford, the average wait was only eight weeks.

According to the Trust, this has now been cut to 68 weeks after the introduction of a pilot scheme.

But Graham Brady said: "I appreciate the fact that the Trust is making changes and working towards a better service for my constituents. But whether the Trust calculates its waiting times in months or weeks, 68 weeks for access to much needed psychological services is still far too long."

In 2007, the Healthcare Commission (HCC) rated Trafford mental health services as ‘fair’, while both Bolton and Salford were both given a ‘good’ verdict.

Judie Collins of the Trafford Patient and Public Involvement Forum, said: "I think they have found that they are not reaching the local people, and they are looking at improving things.

"There is a lot that has been done in Bolton, and a lot of work in Salford and Prestwich – but not in Trafford. Some of the local implementation teams are non-existent.

"The foundation Trust has an awful lot more power.

"I really hope they do right by their patients, some of whom are very vulnerable. Otherwise we may as well go home."

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "Becoming a Foundation Trust means we can keep any financial savings made from the previous year and re-invest them in patient care, facilities and innovation.

"Prior to becoming a Foundation Trust this would have been subject to Strategic Health Authority approval.

"Following the HCC report into mental health services last year, the Trust worked to implement policies around national guidelines for mental health care.

"Staffing levels within our Crisis Resolution Teams in Trafford have now been strengthened and are operating to full capacity, providing an increased standard of care since the HCC report."

Those wishing to become a member of Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust can email ft@gmw.nhs.uk.

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