EADT: Special report reveals huge rise in mental health cases in Suffolk

The number of children and adults referred into the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust has gone up from 34,288 in 2010/11 to 44,574 in 2014/15, revealed in figures released to this newspaper under the Freedom of Information Act.

At a time when more people are being referred into the trust, it is looking to make £36million in “efficiency savings” over the next four years.

Child referrals have gone up by 3,048, while those for adults have risen by 7,238.

‘Chronic underfunding’ is ‘completely unsustainable’

The large increase in referrals at a time of cuts has been described as “completely unsustainable”.

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services, expects to make £36 million in “efficiency savings” over the next four years, according to trade union UNISON.

The trust’s financial position is likely to be discussed at a meeting of the organisation today.

Emma Corlett, representative at the trust for UNISON, said Norfolk and Suffolk was “massively underfunded” and the increase in referrals had created a situation “that’s completely unsustainable”.

She added: “I’m not surprised by the figures. That’s certainly what staff are feeling.”

Click on the image below to read Mariam Ghaemi’s exclusive report in full on the EADT website:

EADT Special report reveals huge rise in mental health cases in Suffolk

 

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