Column: Increasing access to local mental health support
By Kevin Lockyer, Chair at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
It has been another year of care, dedication and innovation and I continue to be proud of the dedication and commitment of staff and volunteers who work across health and care services to continue to improve the care that they provide.
One of the most significant developments we have seen is the introduction of local crisis support through the new mental health option via NHS 111. This is an important step to improve care for those with mental health issues and it will make help for those in a crisis more accessible.
Over the next few months, we will be holding several engagement events to hear the thoughts of patients, service users, carers, families, professionals and the public on how urgent mental health care is delivered locally. I encourage everyone who can do so to attend one of the sessions. It is important that we hear from as many people as possible so that we can continue to make sure we provide the right services, at the right time and in the right way. You can read more on our website at www.lpft.nhs.uk/urgentcarereview.
Earlier this year we launched the new Virtual Autism Hub, a non-clinical service providing advice, signposting and information to help support autistic people, their families and carers. As well as the advice service, the hub aims to harness the work underway by community and support groups for autistic people across the county via a grant programme. You can read more on our website at www.lpft.nhs.uk/virtual-autism-hub.
More recently the Trust has been able to expand the Mental Health Liaison Service in our Children and Young People Mental Health Services to provide dedicated support to young people attending Boston and Grantham hospitals. This is an important enhancement for our services and focuses on providing a more positive experience for young people and families attending acute hospital settings.
As we head into 2025, we continue to work to improve the services we provide. This includes the continued construction of the new 19-bed mixed-sex adult mental health ward in Boston, which we are on track to open early 2026, and the ongoing work to transform children and young people’s mental health services in the county.
Alongside these local developments, the biggest ever public conversation about the future of our health service that the NHS has launched nationally. I encourage everyone to get involved and make your voice heard by visiting https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/.
Finally, it is important that we are mindful that this time of year can be particularly tough for many people. We should all reach out to those who we know and who may be quietly struggling. Please seek support if you need to and know that you are not alone. Visit www.lpft.nhs.uk/contact-us for more information about local support available.