Steve Double, Member of Parliament for St Austell and Newquay has welcomed today’s announcement that Cornwall will be getting a child and adolescent mental health unit.
Commenting, Steve said:
“I am absolutely delighted at this long-needed announcement. Since my election I have worked with my Cornish MP colleagues to lobby the Government on the absolute necessity for Cornwall to have an in-county mental health inpatient unit for children and young people”
“50% of mental health problems start before the age of 14 and 75% before the age of 18. Suicide is the leading cause of death in young men and is rising in women.”
“For too long we have had to see children and young people, at a time when they are most vulnerable, having to travel across the country to access badly needed support. This puts unbelievable strain both on them and their families, so a facility in Cornwall is absolutely essential.”
“I will now continue to work with colleagues both locally and in Westminster in order to ensure this facility gets up and running as soon as possible.”
“I am pleased to be part of this Conservative Government that has finally delivered on this desperate need for Cornwall’s children and young people.”
Commenting, Phil Confue, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said:
“Today’s announcement is fantastic news for children and families locally.”
“We are absolutely delighted to have been given the go ahead for this unit which will provide a much needed service to some of our most vulnerable young people.”
“Previously children from Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly had to travel out of county for this kind of service but this new unit will enable us to deliver care much closer to home. The ability to regularly see family and friends while in hospital is a key element in people’s recovery, and especially in the case of children.”
The news is part of a wider programme of investment in the NHS and a national commitment to reducing out of county placements for children and young people.