New plan will bring urgent mental health support to NHS 111 helpline
COUNCILLORS and health officials have welcomed the expansion of the NHS 111 service to include mental health support, saying it’s exactly what Lincolnshire needs post Covid-19.
Starting from April, individuals of all ages calling 111 can press 2 to access urgent mental health support.
This improved service allows callers to speak with specially trained mental health clinicians in the local area around the clock, discuss their urgent needs, and receive guidance on the most appropriate support.
The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT), which is managing the program locally, is actively recruiting for this new team and is confident in its ability to launch alongside the national rollout.
Mental health continues to be a significant concern nationwide even post-pandemic, as an NHS England report highlights that one in five children and young people were identified with probable mental disorders in 2023.
Councillor Carl Macey (Conservative), Chairman of the Lincolnshire County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, said that the expansion of NHS 111 is precisely what the county needs right now.
“At this moment, there isn’t any mental health service through the NHS 111 system, so what they are doing is expanding it,” he said after Wednesday’s meeting.
“Anyone with a mental health crisis can go directly through, receive good advice, and get treated much quicker than they do at this moment in time.”
He continued: “It is hugely important at the moment; we regularly hear on the news about the impact Covid-19 has had, whether on young people or those who faced isolation, so I hugely welcome it.
“I think it’s excellent news and exactly what we need.
“I think the system will be fantastic, and we will closely monitor it to make sure it is delivering what we need it to.”
Chris Higgins, Director of Operations at LPFT, added: “It should be a really positive initiative.
“People are familiar with NHS 111 — people are using that for their physical health I think quite regularly — this is offering the same opportunity for mental health.”
A NEW leisure and learning facility in Mablethorpe has reached an important milestone in its construction as it enters the final stages of completion.
Work started in March last year to build Station Leisure & Learning Centre on the site of the current Station Sports Centre, operated by Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure & Culture.
East Lindsey District Council successfully bid for Government Levelling Up funding through the Towns Fund and was awarded £7.4m, supported by the Connect Coast Town Deal Board.
The transformational leisure and learning scheme is set to provide new health and wellbeing opportunities for people in Mablethorpe and the surrounding area. The facility includes a four-lane, 25m swimming pool; a changing village, modern fitness suite, Tag Active (adventure play) studios as well as a new outdoor play area and car park. The centre will also provide new learning and skills opportunities.
A ‘topping out’ event marked a milestone in the construction phase and was an opportunity to celebrate the progress made in delivering the Town’s Fund project. Those in attendance were given a tour of the building so far, including the swimming pool.
Cllr Richard Fry, Portfolio Holder for Finance at East Lindsey District Council and the Political Lead for the Station Leisure & Learning Centre, said: “This fantastic facility will truly be transformational in improving
Cllr Richard Fry the health and wellbeing opportunities for people of all ages in Mablethorpe and the surrounding area.
“For many years, a public swimming pool for Mablethorpe has been a long-desired wish from residents in the town. I am delighted that East Lindsey District Council, working with Magna Vitae and the Connected Coast Board has been able to deliver this with a fantastic four lane, 25 metre pool as well as a new fitness suite and other facilities.
“Station Leisure & Learning Centre will take away the need for residents to travel out of town to access a swimming pool, as well as increasing the opportunities for people of all ages to learn to swim and to improve their health.
“The leisure centre combined with the other Town Deal projects being delivered in Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea mark a huge investment for this area of East Lindsey alone. In 2021, Mablethorpe secured £23.9m in Town Deal funding from the government to deliver an ambitious vision which will bring significant and sustainable improvements to support a healthy and diverse economy.”
The current Station Sports Centre is scheduled to close on Thursday, April 11 to allow for the demolition of the existing Station Sports Centre building.
There will then be a short period of closure to allow for staff training at the new facility and to complete works. The new facility is set to open this summer 2024, with the official date to be announced in the coming weeks.
Magna Vitae is holding an event for residents, members and staff past and present to say farewell to Station Sports Centre on their last open day April 11 from 4pm-7pm.
A programme of community activities is being arranged to ensure people have access to facilities during the short closure.
Station Sports Centre members will have access to other Magna Vitae facilities in Louth, Skegness and Horncastle.
Aeneas Richardson, Executive Director for Magna Vitae said: “Anticipation has been growing within the Mablethorpe community over the last 13 months as we have all watched this spectacular building rise out of the ground.
“Excitement is now mounting as we progress towards the final stages of building completion and the leisure centre opening for public use. The place and people are really beginning to ‘buzz.’
“The leisure centre will create at least 12 new employment opportunities and recruitment is under way as we speak. The sheer enthusiasm of the staff team working within the venue will really contribute to the residents of Mablethorpe truly living a ‘great life.’”
Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast said: “It is great to reach this milestone in the development of the Station Leisure and Learning Centre.
“There has long been an aspiration within the community for a swimming pool in Mablethorpe, and the centre is set to be a real asset to the local area, and will make a significant impact in supporting people’s physical and mental wellbeing.”
This centre will take away the need for residents to travel out of town to access a swimming pool.