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Norfolk and Suffolk mental health patients 200-mile bed trek concern | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said it was "unacceptable" some mental health patients were having to travel more than 200 miles (321km) for a bed. | |
Unison urged the government to develop a "rescue package" for mental health services in Norfolk and Suffolk. | |
It said 22 patients were left facing the journey last week. Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust must make cuts of £40m by 2018. | |
The trust said it was working to address the beds shortage. | |
Unison, which represents the trust's workers, said sectioned patients had been sent as far away as Darlington, Harrogate, Bristol and Brighton for adult inpatient beds. | Unison, which represents the trust's workers, said sectioned patients had been sent as far away as Darlington, Harrogate, Bristol and Brighton for adult inpatient beds. |
Mr Hunt said it was unacceptable that people with acute mental health problems were "being sent far away", and it was being looked into. | Mr Hunt said it was unacceptable that people with acute mental health problems were "being sent far away", and it was being looked into. |
Emma Corlett, spokeswoman for Unison at the trust, said a week and a half ago there were 22 cases of people being found beds outside Norfolk and Suffolk. | Emma Corlett, spokeswoman for Unison at the trust, said a week and a half ago there were 22 cases of people being found beds outside Norfolk and Suffolk. |
This often left mental health patients "exceptionally isolated at a time when they need a support system around them (such as family members)", she added. | This often left mental health patients "exceptionally isolated at a time when they need a support system around them (such as family members)", she added. |
Ms Corlett said she was pleased Mr Hunt recognised the problems but said now was the time for action. | Ms Corlett said she was pleased Mr Hunt recognised the problems but said now was the time for action. |
"We want greater resources and a rescue package for the trust to be put in place. The problems are getting worse," she said. | "We want greater resources and a rescue package for the trust to be put in place. The problems are getting worse," she said. |
Michael Scott, chief executive at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have made it very clear that we do not want to be sending patients outside of our trust. | Michael Scott, chief executive at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have made it very clear that we do not want to be sending patients outside of our trust. |
"It is distressing for them and their family and it does not make financial sense. | "It is distressing for them and their family and it does not make financial sense. |
"We are working very hard with commissioners in Norfolk so that we have the right number of beds to meet the demand that is out there. | "We are working very hard with commissioners in Norfolk so that we have the right number of beds to meet the demand that is out there. |
"We have a number of patients ready to be discharged, but do not have anywhere to go. We are absolutely committed to this and it is one of the main operational challenges." | "We have a number of patients ready to be discharged, but do not have anywhere to go. We are absolutely committed to this and it is one of the main operational challenges." |
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