Axe falls on health team
TEAM OF NURSES PROVIDING GP SUPPORT IS TOLD OF DECISION ON MENTAL HEALTH DAY
A TEAM of 10 nurses who provide mental health care to those in the city were told they were being decommissioned - on World Mental Health Day.
Known as the Primary Care Mental Health Service in the City, the team visits GP surgeries across Nottingham, providing mental health care to those who are not ill enough to be admitted to hospital.
A decision was made by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and Greater Nottingham Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGS) to end the service due to “funding constraints”.
A member of the team, who contacted the Post anonymously, said they had concerns over the provision of mental health in the city following the announcement.
They said: “People who go to their GP with mental health issues which doesn’t require hospital admission will have no one to go to.
“The announcement was made on World Mental Health Day. We are absolutely incensed. Where are these people going to go? We have massive concerns.”
A spokeswoman for Greater Nottingham CCGS said the team cost £500,000 to run per year, which was less than one percent of its total expenditure.
She added they had increased mental health expenditure by 3.2 percent this year, and those who used the Primary Care Mental Health Service in the City team would be seen by other mental health nurses.
The joint statement said: “Nottinghamshire Healthcare has been working with the Greater Nottingham CCGS since the beginning of this year to determine the future of the service known as the Primary Care Mental Health Service in the City.
“The service was funded through the Better Care Fund, which is a joint budget between the NHS and Nottingham City Council, which is under increasing financial pressure and as a result this service will not continue to be funded.
“Steps are now being taken to inform GPS of this decision and to signpost people to other forms of support available. The Trust are working closely with staff to look at alternative employment options within the Trust so that they can continue to support those with mental health issues.”