Mental health vow follows girl’s death

HEALTH and council chiefs have pledged to keep improving mental health services for young people following the tragic death of an 11-yearold girl.

An inquest was held last week into the death of Lightcliffe Academy student Ursula Keogh who plunged from North Bridge in Halifax last January. of children and families than we would

Recording a verdict that she had ever be able to achieve alone,” he said. taken her own life, coroner Martin As part of this approach the CCG was Fleming heard evidence from Ursula’s also working with children, young people, family which suggested unclear communication families and organisations in the between the youngster’s public, private and voluntary sector. school and GP practice showed how “By giving young people, their families people might not get the help they and carers a real voice, we can better sought. deliver a truly personalised package

Mr Fleming said he would be writing of support, built around the specific to health chiefs asking them to present needs and circumstances of the young a system that is clearer to access. person.”

He also asked Calderdale Council Calderdale Council’s Cabinet what more could be done to member for Children and improve safety on the bridge. Young People’s Services Clr

A spokesman for NHS Megan Swift, said: Calderdale Clinical Commissioning “Improving emotional Group (CCG) health and wellbeing for said: “We would like to children and young people extend our deepest sympathies has been identified as to the family and one of our key priorities friends of Ursula. We will and we do all we can to help always seek to learn lessons from those struggling with mental such tragedies.” health issues.

The spokesman said, in general “We are working actively with our terms, as lead commissioner for Child partners, including the CCG, to drive and Adolescent Mental Health Services improvements in the range of mental (CAMHS) in Calderdale the group was health services for children and in committed to driving improvements by many areas these services are improving working in close partnership with ser- rapidly. vice users, their families, the local “In particular we are looking to authority and service providers to build improve access to services and develop a more flexible and responsive new and innovative ways to meet mental approach to care and support for young health needs.” people and their families. North Bridge is Grade II listed and

In March 2017, commissioners and the council has applied for listed building providers agreed to work towards consent to make safety improvements. implementing a new approach for A CCTV camera is also being CAMHS. installed.

“This new model of working is based Improvements should be completed on a closer partnership, enabling us to by early summer, said a council spokesman. have a much bigger impact on the lives