Grenfell Tower fire left 11,000 people suffering mental health problems

MORE than 11,000 people are likely to be left suffering mental health problems in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, according to NHS estimates.

The figures include almost 90 children already identified as suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Doctors last night said the NHS response – with more than 1,300 people already seen by GPS and mental health services for health problems relating to the tragedy – is the biggest operation of its kind in Europe.

Dr John Green, chief psychologist of the Central and North West London NHS Trust (CNWL) said the unprecented scale of need had turned the organisation into “the largest trauma service in the UK”.

More than 1,300 people have been seen by CNWL and GPS after the fire, either for PTSD screening or Grenfell-related physical health concerns.

Health professionals in London estimate that around 11,000 people in the wider area could experience difficulties of some description, while the fire may also trigger trauma among some of those watching the burning building on television.

Dr Green, clinical director at the Grenfell Tower NHS Mental Health Response, said: “I think this is the biggest programme there’s ever been in Europe, certainly in terms of mental health. It does strike us that this is a much bigger push than there’s ever been anywhere else ... so it is very novel, there are a lot of things that we’re doing that people have never done before.”

He said it could be years before the true mental health toll was revealed, after it emerged that one person involved in the July 7 2005 London bombings had only recently sought help, and some of those affected by the Ladbroke Grove rail crash in 1999 had come forward 10 years later.

NHS staff have made almost 4,000 approaches in the north Kensington community to identify those struggling to cope after the fire, thought to have killed around 80 people.

The trust said nearly 90 children had been identified as in urgent need of care for PTSD following the blaze.

One third chose not to have treatment, with some wanting to move to a stable home first, or saying they do not feel ready for counselling.

More than 40 survivors have returned to flats which escaped the worst of the fire’s damage to salvage keepsakes, Dr Green said.

The psychologist said many of those who were able to collect items of sentimental value felt the visit had helped their recovery. They were able to take a family member or friend for support, and were accompanied by police officers, members of the ambulance service and psychologists. Residents had to wear helmets, masks, boots and a full body suit and were briefed by police on what they should expect.

Dr Green added: “A lot of people said to us that it gave them a sense of closure, to be able to go up there.”