NHS to invest more than £4million into Bassetlaw mental health services despite ward closure plan

According to Bassetlaw’s Clinical Commissioning Group the multi-million pound investment, in line with the NHS' long term plan, will provide ‘better, urgent community services’ to people living in the district.

Invested over the next three years, the CCG hopes that the funds will allow residents to have ‘quicker and easier access’ to the support they need.

Dr Eric Kelly, chairman of NHS Bassetlaw CCG, said: "We have realised the challenges that many people have faced as a result of coronavirus.

"We are working closely with our community partners to develop local services that will support local people to remain resilient and get the help they need when they need it.

"We are working with a wide range of partner organisations from our community that mean Bassetlaw residents will continue to have access to high-quality locally based services such as bereavement support, support for children and young people and services for those with anxiety or severe mental health conditions are available in Bassetlaw. This includes ongoing access to 24/7 crisis support."

But it comes just over a month after it was announced that proposals had been drawn up to move Bassetlaw Hospitals Ward B2 to a new facility in Mansfield.

Calls have been made to save Ward B2 after former patients told the Guardian that the 13 mile move would prove ‘devastating’ for the area.

HEALTH: Mental health unit move to Mansfield “devastating” for Bassetlaw, says patient

Under the Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust plans mental health patients in need of hospital stays would be moved to a new ward at Mansfield’s Sherwood Oaks.

Formerly known as St Andrew’s Hospital, Sherwood Oaks is undergoing a refurb to provide 72 beds for adult mental health services.

When asked how the investment would affect the closure of Bassetlaw, a spokesman said: “The CCG and its partners are committed to improving mental health care for everyone so that it meets the needs of local people now and into the future.

"Over the next three years, the plan is to transform Bassetlaw’s community mental health services with an investment of more than £4m.

"This investment will mean that even more services and more clinical expertise will be available locally, building on existing services to ensure people are able to access the support they need when they need it.

“Mental health services in Bassetlaw will be improved to bring together community health and social care with hospital-based care, resulting in better access, better services and better care for everyone in Bassetlaw who needs mental health support.

“Proposals to improve local services also includes changing the way mental health inpatient services for adults and older people are provided.”

“We are very keen to ensure as many people as possible share their views to enable us to understand what is important to help shape future changes.”

Residents are encouraged to view the proposals and have their say in an ongoing consultation here: https://www.bassetlawccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/how-to-get-involved/bassetlaw-mental-health-engagement.

The consultation runs until April 18.

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