Gemma Mitchell of the East Anglian Daily Times reports:
The region’s beleaguered mental health trust has had to shut 36 beds since autumn, it has been revealed.
Beds have closed in Ipswich, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
At least eight of the bed closures are permanent.
Service users and carers and their organisations received little to no warning of these closures, never mind consultation.
The Lark Ward, a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Ipswich, had to reduce the number of beds from 10 to seven in October because of staffing problems.
This newspaper revealed yesterday NSFT had taken the decision to completely shut the ward – Suffolk’s only PICU – from April 6 until vacancies were filled.
Shameful. An entire English county without psychiatric intensive care beds. Would that be acceptable in physical health?
Internal NSFT emails say these bed closures are indefinite and will last for months, not weeks.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) has been rated Inadequate and told by the health regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), that it does not have enough beds to deliver safe mental health services twice.
NSFT’s solution? To close more beds.
We have been raising the beds crisis with the Chair of NSFT, Gary Page, for more than four years.
When we first highlighted the problems at NSFT, Gary Page called our claims a ‘so-called crisis’.
We warned Gary Page and the NSFT Board against spending millions of pounds making some of its most experienced and highly-qualified staff redundant or forcing them to take early retirement – while NSFT had hundreds of vacancies. Gary Page went ahead and burnt millions of pounds of taxpayers money and destroyed mental health services.
How can Gary Page remain in his job?
How can the public have any confidence whatsoever?
What is NHS Improvement (NHSI) doing? Its Chief Executive, Ian Dalton, should be ashamed.
It is nearly six months since NSFT was put into Special Measures for the second time and matters are getting worse not better. What is the current Improvement Director, Philippa Slinger, doing? The contrast with the previous Improvement Director is stark.
This isn’t the NSFT Finance Director and interim Chief Executive’s mess. Julie Cave’s attempts to engage with service users and carers, to secure more funding and improve NSFT’s performance have been undermined by NHS Improvement and commissioners, who want to hide the role in the underfunding of mental health services.
This month, a new CEO, Antek Lejk, who service users and carers found unappointable, has been imposed at NSFT.
Antek Lejk, as Lead Executive of the Norfolk STP and Chief Officer of both South Norfolk and North Norfolk CCGs, dissed the CQC’s findings and refused to open his chequebook to finance decent mental health services with enough staff and beds.
But NHS Improvement and the CCGs like him because he is their man.
Now, NSFT is closing desperately-needed beds.
A Stowmarket man who has spoken anonymously said his 20-year-old son is a patient on the unit and had been told he was likely to be moved to another facility outside Suffolk.
“It’s quite worrying really,” he added.
“My son will find it extremely distressing. He’s got a form of autism, he doesn’t like change in anything.
“He’s just had his medication changed so he’s starting to settle down on that medication, this could put him back quite a bit really.
“We heard that they were having to use a lot of agency staff, which means they don’t know my son’s background, they don’t know the best way to communicate with him or deal with him, it’s different people in and out all the time so he can’t form a bond with anybody.”
A spokesman for the Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk and Suffolk said the closure would increase the burden on other public services.
He added: “This is a humanitarian disaster for local people, as the only option will be transportation away from family, friends, professionals and support networks.”
Jon Neal, chief executive of mental health charity Suffolk Mind, said it was “crucial” the closure was carried out with as little disruption to patients as possible.
There will be huge disruption.
Sasha Pearce, head of health at UNISON Eastern Region, blamed recruitment issues on inadequate NHS funding.
Absolutely. NSFT has experienced years of funding cuts. In Norfolk, NSFT’s share of the NHS budget has fallen by 8.3 per cent as referrals have risen 48 per cent.
She added: “I have spoken to our NSFT UNISON branch members who are very upset about the temporary closure of the ward as they know the devastating effect that withdrawal of this support for people with severe mental health problems will have on patients and their families.
“We hope that temporary really does mean temporary and the trust will keep to its word and reopen as soon as possible.”
After the ‘mothballing’ of beds in King’s Lynn to avoid a public consultation and their subsequent closure, why should we have any faith in NSFT’s good faith?
Three of the 10 beds at Suffolk Rehabilitation and Recovery Service have also been closed to enable “environmental improvements” to be made and are due to reopen in late May.
Other temporary closures were at St Catherine’s Way Ward in Gorleston and Carlton Court in Carlton Colville due to staffing concerns.
Two beds have been permanently shut at Northgate Hospital in Great Yarmouth to enable a seclusion facility to be built – as well as six on Glaven and Waveney Wards at Hellesdon Hospital, Norwich in order to remove shared bays.
Absolutely shameful.
NSFT is rated ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission and is in special measures.
NSFT’s failure is a failure of supervision and commissioning as well as management. NHS Improvement, NHS England and the CCGs should be rated Inadequate too.
Click on the image below to read the full story on the EADT website:
What about the people who should be in the beds that have been closed? People who are in crisis and need a place of safety are going to be left to fend for themselves or in the care of community nurses who already are overburdened. Patients might be unsafe in inadequately staffed inpatient beds, but they might also be even less safe struggling with crises in the community. The vast majority of deaths of patients of NSFT happen in the community. Closing beds is a disaster.
The majority of unexpected deaths of service users of NSFT take place in the community. There were 146 unexpected deaths from April 2017 – March 2018 – 36 less deaths than last year.
NSFT are closing 36 beds temporarily due to safety issues. Whilst this might appear reasonable, this equates to 36 more people who need a bed left without inpatient care to survive crises living in the community. The proposed Crisis Cafe is not yet operational.
What steps are being taken by NSFT to keep people safe and boost care for those who are unable to access inpatient care whilst these 36 beds are temporarily closed?’
I may need your help. I tried many ways but couldn’t solve it, but after reading your article, I think you have a way to help me. I’m looking forward for your reply. Thanks.
Thank you for addressing such an important topic in this post Your words are powerful and have the potential to make a real difference in the world
Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic is a unique weight loss supplement that sets itself apart from others in the market. Unlike other supplements that rely on caffeine and stimulants to boost energy levels, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic takes a different approach. It utilizes a blend of eight natural ingredients to address the root causes of weight gain. By targeting inflammation and improving sleep quality, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic provides a holistic solution to weight loss. These natural ingredients not only support healthy inflammation but also promote better sleep, which are crucial factors in achieving weight loss goals. By addressing these underlying issues, Sumatra Slim Belly Tonic helps individuals achieve sustainable weight loss results.
mexican pharmaceuticals online: Online Pharmacies in Mexico – buying prescription drugs in mexico
india online pharmacy https://indiaph24.store/# india pharmacy mail order
india pharmacy
reputable indian online pharmacy http://indiaph24.store/# online shopping pharmacy india
top 10 online pharmacy in india
medicine in mexico pharmacies Mexican Pharmacy Online mexican pharmacy
best online pharmacies in mexico: mexico pharmacy – ?»?best mexican online pharmacies
https://indiaph24.store/# buy prescription drugs from india
cheapest online pharmacy india world pharmacy india Online medicine order
http://indiaph24.store/# top online pharmacy india
cipro 500mg best prices cipro 500mg best prices buy cipro online without prescription
http://cytotec.club/# buy cytotec
cipro ciprofloxacin: cipro online no prescription in the usa – ciprofloxacin generic price
how does tamoxifen work how does tamoxifen work tamoxifen chemo
http://cytotec.club/# buy cytotec online fast delivery
https://cytotec.club/# purchase cytotec
lisinopril 20 mg canadian pharmacy drug lisinopril 5 mg lisinopril 40 mg daily
antibiotics cipro: ciprofloxacin generic price – buy generic ciprofloxacin
https://ciprofloxacin.tech/# cipro ciprofloxacin
cytotec online cytotec buy online usa cytotec pills buy online
where can i buy nolvadex: nolvadex for pct – femara vs tamoxifen
https://lisinopril.network/# lisinopril pills
http://nolvadex.life/# does tamoxifen make you tired
buy cipro online canada cipro pharmacy cipro
cipro generic: buy ciprofloxacin over the counter – ciprofloxacin 500mg buy online
cheap propecia price cost of cheap propecia no prescription cost of cheap propecia without rx
https://finasteride.store/# buy propecia tablets
cytotec buy online usa: Cytotec 200mcg price – buy cytotec over the counter
tamoxifen and uterine thickening effexor and tamoxifen nolvadex estrogen blocker
https://ciprofloxacin.tech/# buy cipro online
https://lisinopril.network/# ?»?buy lisinopril 10 mg uk
prinivil 25mg lisinopril 60 mg tablet lisinopril 12.5 tablet
cytotec abortion pill: buy cytotec online – buy cytotec pills
https://finasteride.store/# buying generic propecia without prescription
how to prevent hair loss while on tamoxifen nolvadex for sale amazon nolvadex price
lisinopril 10 12.5 mg tablets: lisinopril 4214 – lisinopril 5 mg daily
http://ciprofloxacin.tech/# cipro 500mg best prices
lisinopril price in india lisinopril 2.5 zestoretic 20 12.5 mg
https://nolvadex.life/# tamoxifen depression
10 mg lisinopril tablets: lisinopril 20 mg best price – on line order lisinopril 20mg
http://finasteride.store/# get generic propecia online
get generic propecia online get generic propecia prices cost of propecia online
cipro pharmacy: buy cipro online canada – ciprofloxacin mail online
http://nolvadex.life/# pct nolvadex
zestril 20 mg price canadian pharmacy lisinopril 20mg tablets cost cheapest lisinopril 10 mg
90 lisinopril: lisinopril cheap brand – prinivil 10 mg
tamoxifen alternatives premenopausal does tamoxifen cause joint pain generic tamoxifen
https://nolvadex.life/# tamoxifen and grapefruit
Levitra 10 mg best price Vardenafil price Levitra generic best price
http://cialist.pro/# Tadalafil price
Kamagra Oral Jelly: buy kamagra online – ?»?kamagra
?»?Levitra price Levitra generic price Buy generic Levitra online
http://kamagra.win/# buy Kamagra
Kamagra 100mg price Kamagra tablets super kamagra
https://levitrav.store/# Buy Vardenafil 20mg
viagra without prescription Cheapest place to buy Viagra Cheap generic Viagra
http://cenforce.pro/# cheapest cenforce
https://levitrav.store/# Buy Levitra 20mg online
cenforce for sale: cenforce.pro – buy cenforce
Buy Tadalafil 10mg buy cialis overseas Buy Tadalafil 20mg
Cheap Cialis cialist.pro buy cialis pill
https://cialist.pro/# ?»?cialis generic
Generic Cialis without a doctor prescription Cialis 20mg price in USA Tadalafil Tablet
http://cenforce.pro/# cheapest cenforce
best online pharmacies in mexico mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs reputable mexican pharmacies online
http://pharmmexico.online/# mexican drugstore online
ordering prescription drugs from canada: best website to buy prescription drugs – pills no prescription
pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa: medication from mexico pharmacy – mexican mail order pharmacies
canada pharmacy reviews: legal to buy prescription drugs from canada – canadian pharmacy oxycodone
http://pharmcanada.shop/# northern pharmacy canada
legitimate online pharmacy no prescription: online pharmacy no prescriptions – buy medication online with prescription
http://pharmworld.store/# cheapest pharmacy for prescription drugs