Concern over shortage of mental health services in Selby (From York Press)

1. NYY CMHS Management have neglected to add any comment on this article because they are fully aware they are neglecting & failing in their duty of care to those with mental ill health in Selby.

3. NYY CMHS management are fully aware there are many 'Vulnerable Adults' in the Selby District with mental health problems whom are being prevented by CMHS Management from accessing services that would meet their individual needs due to cuts in Mental Health Service Delivery and Provision.

3. Vulnerable Adults with mental ill health in Selby have been left without active care in the community for over a year, since the changes to services delivery and provision took place in January/February 2011. That is failing in statutory duty of care, and failing to safeguard vulnerable adults.

4. I personally spoke to NYY CMHS Directors, Mr Clare and Ms Probert in January 2011, whom assured me that Selby mental health service ursers would not face the same poor services they faced pre-2005, when services were lacking and clincial care was not being provided. However the exact same situation has occurred in the Selby District and Ms Probert & Mr Clare knew that vulnerable adults owed a duty of care would be left without appropriate mental health care in the community

5. Mr Smith neglects to add that MIND is unable to provide many services, especially Advocacy to mental health service users in Selby due to geographical restrictions in funding. Selby MH service users are restricted in accessing many support services due to that very problem.

6. How can NYY CMHS or MIND justify a postcode lottery for MH service users in Selby, they are under the same clinical services as York, therefore should have the same access to all services as those service users in York.

This was predicited over 12 months ago when it was announced there would be changes to service delivery and provision, which left Selby MH services without adequate resources. Mr Smith may have an alternative agenda, being a business man of course he wants to secure funding for the volunatry sector, but the primary concerns are:

1. Getting the new CMHS Board to come down to Service User level & actively listen to what Selby MH Services Users are lacking.

2. Form a new CMH Service User Forum so Selby MH Service Users are able to actively participate in decision making & can have their voices heard (doesn't happen at present).

3. Secure more funding for much needed MH services within the Selby District as there is only one consultant psychiatrist to cover the whole area. SHO's are of little benefit as they're not expereinced nor qualified in mental health as they're trainee doctors completing their 6 months rotation to gain some experience in mental health.

4. Ensure that all those needing mental health care in the SelbyDistrict are able to access the services that would meet their needs.

5. Ensure CMHS discharge their statutory duty of care to mental health services users in Selby who are not receiving proper care, support or treatment.

6. Selby & York mental health service user biggest fear is they are now being lost in a bigger pond, where they are names and case numbers rather than unique individuals with needs which must be met. Afterall the Care Plan Approach states: 'CPA, it IS about how services fit with you, NOT about how you fit with services'.

7. Selby & York mental health services do not want nor need remodelliing on impersonal services which are more appropriate in urban denseley populate areas like Leeds. York & Selby CMH Services need to retaint the charm of more personal, client centred services. If this is acheivable it remains to be seen.


My message to David Smith: 'MIND & Our Celebration do not currently provide any support services to those in the Selby District so how can he speak for service users he has no connection with? The merger of Leeds, York & Selby CMHS is not about voluntary sectors services getting access to more funds, it is about ensuring that Secondary Mental Health Care is put at the forefront of service provision and should be prioritised. Secondary Care services are seriously lacking, therefore mental health care in the community, and improving treatments for those who need them is the priority. recovery is important but one cannot even begin the road to recovery without appropriate care in the community and the most effective treatment being provided, whether that treatment be within the PCT/Trust or be in the private sector funded by specialist commisioners. Mental health care, support and treatment are far more important than voluntary sector funding. Once Secondary care services are secured and are meeting the needs of service users then the voluntary sector should be given it's slice of cake.

Mr Smith should also be aware that MIND Befriending Scheme told Selby Service Users they would be contacted in January only now have they admitted that there are no Befrienders available for that area. Yes he may be concerned about lack of funding causing geographical restrictions on support services, but to access MIND services a service users has to be attending one of the MIND & Our Celebration Groups, which is now subject to 'cherry picking' who will be supported. MH Advocacy is non-existent in the Selby District, which puts Selby MH services users at risk as they are vulnerable adults.

Sounds to me like you're basically in agreement with Mr Smith's comments that People are "crying out for more services” in Selby?

He doesn't say that the money has to go to Mind, just that there needs to be investment. I can't see him justifying a postcode lottery...quite the opposite in fact.