Stafford MP Theo Clarke today welcomed £5.5 million to improve local mental health services following her three-year campaign to secure extra funding.
The Department for Health and Social Care announced that the money will be used to provide new and improved mental health crisis response infrastructure for Staffordshire.
The crisis assessment centre at Stafford receives most of the money at £3,150,000. Project Chrysalis - a new mental health inpatient ward at Harplands Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent will receive £1,564,000 and a new crisis café will be set up with £821,000.
Mrs Clarke has made mental health one of her priorities. She set up the Stafford Mental Health Network during the pandemic and launched it at St George’s Hospital.
“I am absolutely thrilled this money is coming to make a big difference to community and inpatient mental health services in Stafford and the wider area,” she said. “I believe it will save lives – it’s as big as that.
“I worked really hard alongside the network for three years to secure this money, including speaking to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when he was Chancellor to make the case that it was much needed,” she said.
“I am so pleased ministers have listened and I thank them for this decision. More help for those suffering from a range of mental health issues is something I care passionately about and I believe this money is going to help so many in the years to come.”
Health Minister Maria Caulfield said: “I am pleased to announce the funding for extra mental health services in Stafford following the campaign by the local MP Theo Clarke.
“This funding will make a real difference to improving mental health services for local people so that people get seen sooner.
“Theo has been lobbying the government for this funding for some time and I am pleased we have been able to allocate it.”
The money for the area comes from a £143 million national pot announced by ministers today.
Neil Carr, Chief Executive, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trusts said: “Theo has been a tireless campaigner for the residents of Stafford and the promotion of their mental wellbeing. I am delighted that we have been awarded this significant sum of money which will see crisis services in Stafford significantly enhanced.
“Three years ago, Theo was instrumental in establishing the Stafford Mental Health Network and bringing together partner organisations to promote mental wellbeing which has had a significant positive impact in our area”.
Councillor Ann Edgeller: “Mental Health as we all know is a major issue it is just as important as physical health. I am delighted that the work that has been done by myself and Theo Clarke MP over the last few years has been recognised by the Government. Being the Mental Champion I am delighted that Stafford has been allocated over £3million to help with Mental Health issues. I have to thank Theo Clarke for successfully lobbing the Government on our behalf.”
