West Cumbrian mental health facility should be fully open by autumn
Members of Cumberland Council's health overview and scrutiny committee were given an update from Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust at Allerdale House in Workington on Thursday (July 17).
Ramona Duguid, the trust's chief operating officer, told members extensive arrangements were in place at Hope Haven, in Whitehaven, and it was hoped that the main building fully open and operational by September or October at the latest.
She said that recovery and well-being drop-in sessions had been established and added that they had a 'huge impact on access to services'.
Ms Duguid suggested that they could bring back a progress report to the committee in six to 12 months.
James Duncan, the trust's chief executive, stressed that it was not a pilot scheme and added: 'This is something that will be sustained.'
The report states: 'By the end of July Everyturn will be operating our Virtual Safe Haven Offer, telephone and online support.
'We will also be going live with our 'team of the day' which consists of staff from each of the partners CNTW, Home Group, Everyturn, The Well, Cumbria Health and iCan along with peer support being available to support all new referrals and wrap around existing service users who require immediate crisis support.
'The four short stay beds which will provide a robust alternative to admission will open at the beginning of August 2025. They will have 24/7 staff support from Home Group and Intensive Home-Based Treatment from the CNTW crisis team.
'The team will continue to work closely with the CNTW inpatient bed management team and also Lowther Street crisis beds to ensure the most appropriate bed is used to meet the individual needs.'
According to the report there is also a Hope Haven on Wheels initiative which currently focusses on rural isolated areas within Copeland.
The report states: 'This is a 15-week rolling programme which has reached into four areas of Copeland thus far with rural community venues booked and scheduled until October.
'iCan Wellbeing Group is working in collaboration with system partners to co-work/co-deliver sessions, as recruited staff come into post, Everyturn and Cumbria Health have joined thus far.'
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