Third Sector Engagement in Mental Health

The Lancashire and South Cumbria health system is experiencing higher than usual numbers of people presenting in mental health crisis, both in acute hospital settings as well as in the community.

The Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria Mental Health Steering group are developing a number of schemes designed to support patients and ensure their needs are more effectively met in a timely fashion through the pathway and back into recovery, however, the speed of implementation is not yet having enough of an impact to address the current levels of need and ensure that patients and service users are best supported.

We are aware that your organisations have a wealth of experience and expertise in supporting vulnerable people and many of you are delivering innovative solutions locally and in other parts of the country already.

We are therefore focussing our next Mental Health Steering Group Meeting to have a specific session considering innovative solutions for supporting people with mental health needs in the community, to both prevent admission and support service users and patients in times of, crisis and which can be mobilised at speed.

The meeting will take place at 10:30 on Thursday 12th July at;

Preston Grasshoppers Rugby Club, Lightfoot Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston PR4 0AP

and we would like to extend an invitation to you and any other third sector organisation which you believe may be able to work in partnership with us in a timely manner.

We appreciate that this is short notice and that you will have competing pressures on your time however, given the current levels of need, immediate action is required and we would very much appreciate your support and collaboration to work jointly with us on potential solutions.

If you are able to prioritise this meeting, please confirm your attendance by emailing mlcsu.tenders@nhs.net by 11th July 2018.