Hundreds turn out to support mental health services in York

The Walk Back To Bootham took place on Friday, just over a year to the day from the closure of the facility, with about 200 campaigners gathering at the Minster and walking to Bootham Park Hospital where candles were lit.

Organised by Mental Health Action York, the walk aimed to highlight the need for action on new mental health services for the city, and the importance of the public having their say on the future of services in York.

Chris Brace, one of the organisers, said the event was "a very moving occasion", with music by York Rock Choir, and talks from service users, professionals and Rachael Maskell MP.

He said: "There was a particularly sad moment after the walk to hear from grieving relatives and in one instance from a very recently bereaved sister of a person who had lost his life, which she said in her view wouldn't have happened had there been an inpatient service available in York. The gathering went very quiet following that point."

Dr Bob Adams, a former senior psychiatrist at Bootham Park Hospital and a member of Mental Health Action York, said the fact that the walk was so well attended proved mental health services were an issue people of York cared about, and urged residents to have their say in the ongoing consultation.

He said: "It shows the support is still there and people who came that Bootham Park Hospital is just a short distance from the centre of York, you can walk there in five minutes, and it's accessible for people don't have cars, from bus stops, so it's accessible for people coming from Selby and Easingwold.

"The temporary unit - Peppermill Court - opens on Monday, which is good news, and for MHAY we want to encourage people to attend meetings and have their say and our group will keep an eye on what's happening and will have our say, both individually and collectively."

Details on the consultation and upcoming meetings can be found at healthwatchyork.co.uk/news by searching for "mental health York".