Audio: BBC Radio Norfolk: Matthew Gudgin interviews NSFT interim CEO Julie Cave and a campaigner about the closure of yet another 36 beds

Matthew Gudgin of the BBC interviews a spokesperson for our campaign and the interim Chief Executive of Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), Julie Cave, about the closure of yet another 36 mental health beds in Norfolk and Suffolk.

We are asked whether we have any confidence in the newly-appointed Chief Executive of NSFT, Antek Lejk.

To which the answer is simply “No.”

For much many more years can the crisis be allowed to deepen?

More than four years ago, we were promised by NSFT that no beds would be closed until they were no longer needed.

In January 2014, we were promised by commissioners that the use of out of area beds would end before the end of April 2014.

Instead the crisis in mental health services has become much worse.

Twice the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors have found that NSFT does not have enough beds to deliver a safe service. Twice the commissioners, including the newly-imposed Chief Executive and current STP Chief Officer, Antek Lejk, have ignored the CQC, even with the trust in Special Measures – twice. At the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee hearing at Norfolk County Council, commissioners claimed not to even know how many mental health beds Norfolk needs – even though there are currently 33 more patients than there are beds. Four years after they promised to fix the problem.

Meanwhile, Suffolk is left without any psychiatric intensive care beds.

Since 2013-14, when the CCGs were established, NSFT’s share of the Norfolk NHS budget has declined by 8.3 per cent.

Referrals have increased by 48 per cent over the same period.

Since NSFT was founded, the number of unexpected deaths has increased by 66 per cent.

What is the Improvement Director, Philippa Slinger, from NHS Improvement doing? Matters aren’t improving: they are becoming worse.

Enough is enough.

Join us at our protest on 1st May 2018 to fight for decent mental health services.

Click on the play arrow below to listen to the interviews.

1 thought on “Audio: BBC Radio Norfolk: Matthew Gudgin interviews NSFT interim CEO Julie Cave and a campaigner about the closure of yet another 36 beds”

  1. Well it just proves no one from the NSFT cares the more suicides they get the better for them. I am a service user suffering from PTSD, personality disorder, Anxiety & stress. Sadly I am still alive and that’s only thanks to a brilliant GP and staff and over the last three years the Norwich & Central Mind helpline. I despair I was diagnosed 16 years ago when they had Mountbatten Ward, Churchill ward at Kings Lynn plus Hellesdon at Norwich. They worked like clockwork and were fully staffed. They had things for the patients to do when they felt able. NOW WE HAVE CARE IN THE COMMUNITY One visit a fortnight by a care co who has nothing to put in place and a crisis team that have lost heart. We have psychiatrists who are loccums and can name their price. If only they stopped and thought and opened up all our beds and making it worthwhile staff working, they would be £a in pocket. Sack all the so called senior staff that run the trust and employ mental health trained staff. Stop senior staff being able to award themselves as much pay as they  to use foodbanks. I wish I was dead or lived in a cardboard box and couldn’t read or write. Life is hell I am scared of people because of what’s happened to me. I won’t go into groups I panic.

    put a proper interview panel together and advertise the jobs with decent pay then you might attract the right people and have less suicides. Also it’s time some junior doctors were told Mental illness is what it says and not like when I was taken to the QE for a different matter the junior doctor in a loud voice looked at my notes commented oh she’s only a mental health patient luckily. The registrar and consultant were there that night and apologised and had to talk me into staying. I could go on but it would be futile the NSFT DONT CARE OR WANT TO KNOW. GET RID OF FOUR OUT OF THE FIVE CCGs THAT WOULD SAVE A LOT OF MONEY. I worked in the NHS IN WORCESTERSHIRE FOR MANY YEARS IT NOW SICKENS ME THE ATTITUDE AND GREED OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND NSFT BOSSES.

     

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