By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 11:44, Thursday, 19 July 2012

CONCERNS have been raised over delays providing electro-convulsive therapy (or ECT) at the West Cumberland Hospital.

The treatment, which is used to relieve severe depression, was due to be offered at the hospital’s new £3.5million mental health unit, Yewdale Ward.

However, Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said it was still “finalising some details following the move’’.

The Whitehaven News was contacted by a woman whose friend has had her treatment cancelled and is now “in limbo’’ following the delays.

Wishing to remain anonymous, she said: “As part of the refurbishment, a section of the unit has been developed for the use of ECT. This sounds wonderful as it is all in one place instead of having to enter the main hospital.

“However, they have now made a decision to cancel all ECT until further notice. My friend is now in limbo until a solution can be found, and it might mean travelling across the country for the treatment.’’

ECT has had a profound effect on improving the quality of her friend’s life, she said. “Had my friend’s treatment gone ahead as planned before the move, she would have been discharged from the hospital. Now, they will still be an in-patient until the treatment is completed.’’

ECT involves placing an electrical pulse to the patient’s head, causing a carefully controlled fit or seizure. The treatment appears to increase brain chemicals which fall when someone is suffering from depression, however there is no clear explanation for how it works.

It is deemed controversial because, while some people believe it is a life-saver, others worry about the effects of treatment on the brain.

A spokesperson for the Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “ECT has not been delivered on the new ward as yet as we are still finalising some details following the move. This is not a staffing issue.

“We apologise for any difficulties this may cause and we have plans in place to manage this delay.’’

She added: “We are still finalising some details which includes the accommodation for providing ECT.’’

First published at 11:12, Thursday, 19 July 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk