PERSHORE’S MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a £1.5million cash support package which will help to improve mental health support for local people.
The cash, which was confirmed by the Department for Health and Social Care in a letter to Worcestershire’s MPs, will bring an extra £150million investment across the NHS in England to improve emergency mental healthcare services.
Most of the £150million will be spent on improving mental healthcare crisis response infrastructure, supporting crisis hubs, assessment and care centres and £7million will be spent on 100 specialised mental health ambulances to help patients in need of emergency care.
Mrs Baldwin said: “When I have met with our local hospital managers, the importance of helping people with mental health crises is often discussed. The worst place for people in a mental health crisis is in Accident and Emergency or police custody.
“I also welcome that fact the Government has supported the local NHS with many millions of pounds to help at the front door of Worcestershire’s A&E departments including £15million to build a new Emergency Department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital which will hopefully come into full use this year.
“One of the bigger challenges that the county mental healthcare trust reports is the challenges recruiting specialist nurses, and I hope this broader national investment will be a positive sign for those already in the profession, or those who are thinking of a career in this specialism.”
