Appendix 8

Consultation on proposed changes to mental health services in Hertfordshire

20 March to 3 May 2006

Media Activity

Press Releases Issued

16 March / The Comet
Welwyn Hatfield Times
The Mercury
Hertfordshire on Sunday
Hertbeat FM
Chiltern FM
17 March / Watford Observer
Hemel Hempstead Gazette
Mercury Radio
20 March / St Albans Observer
St Albans Review
Hertfordshire Advertiser
20 March / Hertfordshire Mercury – all editions
Herts Star
Herts and Essex Observer
Royston Crow
Cambridge Evening News (Royston office)
12 April / Hertfordshire Mercury
Herts and Essex Observer

Articles Printed:

23 March / The Comet / ‘Article announcing the launch of the consultation and response from MIND’
24 March / Borehamwood and Elstree Times / ‘Mental health service cuts’
26 March / Hertfordshire on Sunday / ‘Public asked to comment on mental health cuts’
29 March / St Albans and Harpenden Review / ‘Have say on cuts’
31 March / Hertfordshire Mercury / ‘Dementia day care under threat from budget cuts’
2 April / Hertfordshire on Sunday / ‘Criminal neglect of the mentally ill’
5 April / Hemel Hempstead Gazette / 'Mental health cuts could kill'
7 April / Borehamwood and Elstree Times / ‘Health cuts concern’
7 April / Watford Observer / 'Without the service I would not have the life I have now'
20 April / The Comet / ‘Cuts could prove ‘fatal’ claims patient group’
23 April / Hertfordshire on Sunday / ‘Have your say on cuts to mental health funding’
26 April / Welwyn and Hatfield Times / ‘Mental health cuts could prove fatal’
27 April / St Albans Observer / ‘Fury at plans to slash mental health services’
28 April / Watford Observer /
  • 'Closure of psychiatric centre a betrayal to those who rely on it'
  • ‘Debts repaid at cost of services’

3 May / Hemel Hempstead Gazette / ‘Warning over cuts in mental health service’
4 May / The Comet / ‘Mental Health service cuts slammed’

Letters Printed

During the consultation period, 7 letters were printed in local newspapers including:

15 March / Hemel Hempstead Gazette / Two letters
‘Another betrayal of the mentally ill’
‘Lack of beds is a worrying prospect’
26 April / Welwyn and Hatfield Times / ‘We urge your readers to join us in fighting planned cuts to mental health services’
5 May / Watford Observer / ‘Plan should be stopped’

Interviews Given

20 March / Chiltern Radio / Interview with Catherine Pelley (also used on Mercury Radio)
6 April / BBC Three Counties Radio / Interview with Pam Handley
7 April / Pulse Magazine / Interview with Pam Handley
26 April / BBC Radio 4 / Interview with Pam Handley following Carers in Herts meeting. Broadcast on Friday 28 April, BBC Radio 4 World at One
8 May / Mental Health Today / Interview with Pam Handley

Adverts for Public Meetings

27 March / Barnet and Potters Bar Times
Hertfordshire Advertiser
St Albans Observer
St Albans Review
Advertorial placed for three weeks
29 March / Hemel Hempstead Gazette
30 March / Herald Express (Hemel Hempstead)
Week beginning 17 April / All editions of Mercury series
Herts & Essex Observer
21 April / Watford Observer