Category Archives: Suffolk

Health bosses close to launching new system for mental health helpline

An extra staff member will be added to take additional calls to the Mind mental health helpline, as health bosses hammer out the final details for a new service.

The helpline, which faced closure earlier this year due to a lack of funds, is being merged with the Wellbeing helpline as part of the region’s mental health trust’s Wellbeing Service after chiefs agreed to invest an uncon-firmed amount of money towards the service.

As part of the scheme the Wellbeing helpline, available to call-ers with less acute conditions than those who ring Mind’s helpline, will have its opening hours extended.

Both helplines are to operate under the same number, with staff from either helpline able to answer both sets of callers.

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Victory for mental health campaigners as deal struck over Norfolk helpline

12:04 17 March 2016

Mind support line. Ben Marshall, team leader. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Patients and campaigners can today celebrate after health bosses agreed a solution to prevent people from being affected by the closure of a helpline.

In a victory for service-users and mental health advocates, callers to the Norwich and Central Norfolk Mind Mental Health Helpline will get support from another service.

Norfolk and Suffolk mental health services branded 'inadequate'

Special Measures

The mental health trust for Norfolk and Suffolk is being recommended to be placed in special measures after being rated inadequate.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust was “not a safe, effective or responsive service”, said the Care Quality Commission.

The report said there were also concerns about a lack of beds and “urgent action” was needed.

The trust said it would improve services and put patients first.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31112572