MP accuses Health Secretary of undermining Cumbrian health trust over future of local mental health services

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has demanded that the Secretary of State for Health should stop undermining the Cumbria Partnership Trust over the future of local mental health services.

Back in September, Tim uncovered plans which would have seen mental health consultant psychiatrists being withdrawn between the hours of 8pm and 9am for people outside of their own homes - such as A+E, care homes, or police stations.

But following Tim's campaign, the plans were ditched.

However, in a recent letter to Tim, Jeremy Hunt said the Trust were carrying on with the proposals and the withdrawal of some overnight mental health workers would begin from January 1st. This would mean that many vulnerable patients who needed to be sectioned overnight would not be able to get that support.

During a meeting yesterday, the Trust told Tim that they intended to stick to their promise to maintain overnight support.

Tim said: "When I met bosses from the Trust yesterday they couldn't have been clearer that overnight mental health workers in Cumbria will be not now be withdrawn.

"The Health Secretary is blatantly contradicting and undermining the Trust by saying these changes will come into effect from the beginning of the New Year.

"If Jeremy Hunt cares for those in Cumbria who have mental health problems and respects the opinion of our local health bosses, then he must back down."