Lancashire and South Cumbria set to benefit from investment in NHS services

£21 million of capital investment from Government for Lancashire and South Cumbria will see the development of an Integrated Acute Mental Health Hub for Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Trust is pleased to announce that it will benefit from £8.1 million investment to develop anIntegrated Acute Mental Health Hub for people living on the Fylde Coast. The currently approved proposal has secured funding which will be used to refurbish the former Parkwood site at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. This is one of the options being considered to allow the expansion of the Mental Health Decision Unit (MHDU) that the Trust currently provides from A&E in Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

At present the Trust has 4 spaces available for people in mental health crisis where they can stay for up to 23 hours to be assessed, supported and then signposted to the clinical team or support service required according to their need. The Parkwood site is an option being explored alongside others with Blackpool Acute Trust colleagues and the next stage having secured the funding is to develop a full business case outlining the details and associated planning timescales.

Joanne Moore, Chief Operating Officer at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We really welcome the investment to enable us to be able to work together with our partners to improve mental health services for people who present in crisis. The funding will allow us to expand our Mental Health Decision Unit (MHDU) which has been designed to provide a short term, safe, therapeutic environment for stabilisation, assessment and support prior to moving the person on to the most appropriate service for their needs.”

Dr Amanda Doyle, GP and Chief Officer for Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria, said:

“For Lancashire and South Cumbria to be awarded this funding demonstrates the strength of the partnerships developing across our region between NHS, Local Authorities, the public sector and our communities. This investment will support us to make faster progress on improving mental health and A&E facilities which will help to improve lives for people across our region.”