MP condemns removal of overnight mental health workers in Cumbria on World Mental Health Day

On World Mental Health Day, local MP Tim Farron has submitted an Early Day Motion to the House of Commons, condemning the removal of certain overnight mental health workers in Cumbria.

Just last week it was announced that plans, drawn up by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, to withdraw mental health psychiatrists who work between 8pm and 9am was being delayed until January.

But new information leaked to Tim Farron has revealed that the plans will now roll into action from the beginning of next week.

Tim said: "It's shameful that on a day where we celebrate the huge advances in treatment of mental health, that vital overnight mental health psychiatrists are being removed in Cumbria.

"Despite promising to delay these plans until the New Year, the Trust have decided to plough ahead, giving mental health workers, who are already overstretched, just days to prepare for having no overnight cover.

"We still don't know yet whether there have been any risk assessments on what the impact of these plans may be, or if mental health patients have even been consulted about this imminent change.

"The proposals do not put the people in crisis at its heart and the Trust must think again as this move could end up having potentially fatal consequences."