West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed a £1.5 million cash support package which will help to improve mental health support for local people. 

 The cash which was confirmed by the Department for Health and Social Care in a letter to Worcestershire’s MPs, will see an extra £150 million invested across the NHS in England to improve emergency mental healthcare services. 

 Most of the £150 million cash will be spent on improving mental healthcare crisis response infrastructure, supporting crisis hubs, assessment and care centres and £7 million will be spent on 100 specialised mental health ambulances to help patients in need of emergency care. 

 Harriett commented:

“When I have met with our local hospital managers, the importance of helping people with mental health crises is often discussed.   The worst place for people in a mental health crisis is in Accident and Emergency or police custody. 

“I also welcome that fact that the Government has supported the local NHS with many millions of pounds to help at the front door of Worcestershire's A&E departments including £15 million to build a new Emergency Department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital which will hopefully come into full use this year. 

“One of the bigger challenges that the county mental healthcare Trust reports is the challenges recruiting specialist nurses, and I hope that this broader national investment will be a positive sign for those already in the profession, or those who are thinking of a career in this specialism.”