16 August 2019

Please note: this news article is in our archive. Articles were correct at time of publication, but should not be relied on for accuracy after the passage of time.

People in West Sussex are invited to take part in a public consultation about proposals to improve the quality and safety of mental health services for adults, older people and those living with dementia.

The consultation was launched today (Wednesday 17 July) by the local NHS for a 12 week period.

These proposals have been developed over many months by the three clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in West Sussex and Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, following input and feedback from doctors, specialists, service users and staff. They aim to:

• provide a higher quality of care by moving services from out-dated, poor quality wards in Chichester and Horsham to safer, more modern wards in Worthing and Crawley
• give patients the privacy and dignity they deserve and to meet national standards by making all wards single-sex, and
• provide an opportunity to create a centre of excellence in Worthing for people living with dementia which will improve the care for both their mental and physical health needs.

Samantha Allen, Chief Executive of Sussex Partnership, said: “We currently have buildings and accommodation which are old and of poor quality and do not meet the standards we expect for our patients, carers and families. This is something we need to address urgently and these proposals will help us achieve this.

“No final decisions have been made and we now want to hear from those people who may be affected by our plans and anyone interested in how we provide our services now and in the future. We would urge everyone to get involved and have their say.”

Adam Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of Sussex and East Surrey CCGs, said: “We have developed these proposals to make sure we lead the way in providing the best mental health care and support possible for local people.

“They not only address the challenges we have with some of the buildings in West Sussex but also allow us to improve the care for patients. We look forward to hearing from people during the next 12 weeks so we can work with them to help deliver the best possible care.”

A formal public consultation document is available online and in a printed version setting out the background to the proposals, what is being proposed and how you can have your say.

During the next 12 weeks, there will be a range of ways that people can get involved.

• There will be public events organised for across West Sussex. Dates and locations will be shared on the consultation website, with local partners, and by contacting the consultation team.
• Smaller events for organisations representing service users, carers and those with an interest in these proposals will be also be held. Anyone who wants to arrange a face-to-face meeting can contact the consultation team on the details below.
• All of the consultation documents, including business planning documents, are now published online for information on the consultation website.
• To make it as easy as possible for people to share their views, there is a survey that is available both in hard copy and online. The survey is also on the website and people can request a copy using the details below.

Full details about how to get involved can be found at:

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/west-sussex-consultation

Further information is available by:

Calling: 0300 304 0330 (local rates apply)

emailing westsussex.mh@nhs.net, or by

writing to:

Freepost RTKY-LXHG-BATT
Engagement Team
Coastal West Sussex CCG
The Causeway
Goring-by-Sea
Worthing
BN12 6BT

The consultation will close on Friday 11 October and all of the findings will be independently analysed to enable the three CCGs in West Sussex and Sussex Partnership to make a final decision on these services later this year.