23 May 2014 Suffolk signs up to Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat Dr Daniel Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health joined Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore to launch the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat in Suffolk today. (Friday 23 May) The event, held on Friday 23 May at Seckford Hall Hotel, Woodbridge, involved key people across the county signing up to work together to improve the system of care and support for people in crisis because of a mental health condition. They committed to work together to ensure people with mental health issues are kept safe and given support they need – whatever the circumstances in which they first need help – and from whichever service they turn to first. At the event invited guests signed the Concordat on behalf of their organisation.Following the launch the group will establish a working group to oversee a gap analysis of Suffolk provision in relation to the Concordat and to develop an action plan. The work will be led by the Norfolk & Suffolk Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Strategic group, and report in to the Health & Wellbeing Board. Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat: the joint statement We commit to work together to improve the system of care and support, so people in crisis because of a mental health condition are kept safe and helped to find the support they need – whatever the circumstances in which they first need help – and from whichever service they turn to first. We will work together, and with local organisations, to prevent crises happening whenever possible through prevention and early intervention. We will make sure we meet the needs of vulnerable people in urgent situations. We will strive to make sure that all relevant public services support someone who appears to have a mental health problem to move towards recovery. Jointly we hold ourselves responsible for enabling this commitment to be delivered across Suffolk. Should you wish to read the complete Concordat, this can be found here (PDF 20MB). Picture caption: Joanna Spicer, Chairman of the Heatlth and Wellbeing Board, Tim Passmore PCC, Douglas Paxton, Chief Constable and Dr Dan Poulter MP
