Fairer Charging

What’s the issue?
“Fairer Charging” is Manchester City Council’s policy of charging for its social care services including, since 2009 and for the first time, day services for mental health. The Mental Health Watchdog has heard that this is adversely affecting some users of mental health services.
What’s our goal?
We want to ensure that Fairer Charging does not adversely affect mental health service users in Manchester by:
• developing a better Fairer Charging policy
• improving information about Fairer Charging
• promoting better practice in billing and refunds
• committing to less (or no) use of debt collectors

How will we achieve this?
We will gather evidence about people’s experiences of Fairer Charging and use our findings to make recommendations.

Where are we up to?
24/02/12: After surveying users of day services at Harpurhey Wellbeing Centre, Victoria Park Day Centre and Hall Lane Day Centre, we have submitted a report on our findings to Manchester City Council and the Mental Health and Social Care Trust. In this we clearly reject the introduction of charges for mental health service users, but still make recommendations as to how the system could be improved. The trust’s response to the report will be discussed at the next Watchdog meeting. We also responded to Manchester City Council’s consultation on Fairer Charging, again arguing against the introduction of charges for mental health service users.
Click here for a copy of the full report

How can you become involved?
You can become involved by:
- joining the Mental Health Watchdog
- speaking to us about your experiences of Fairer Charging

For more information please contact Naheed on 0161 874 2188 or by email to manchesterlink@thebha.org.uk