Chloe Smith to chair meeting with Mental Health Trust

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, will chair a meeting between the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust and Norfolk and Suffolk MPs in Parliament, Tuesday 14th December (4.30pm).

This is the latest in a regular series of meetings which she chairs to hold the Trust to account, seek better performance for constituents and to work together wherever possible to support the service.  Hellesdon Hospital, the Trust’s HQ, is in Chloe’s constituency.

The Trust is in ‘special measures’ and the MPs expect to hear updates on the latest progress and plans for improvement.

Chloe spoke in Parliament about mental health services last week, saying: “Patients deserve better.”

Speaking ahead of the meeting, she says:

"There is some progress but a lot more to do.  I will be seeking an update on the Trust's turnaround plan and progress. As I said in Parliament only last week, I am particularly concerned about out of area placements, continuity of care and GP support.  The Trust needs to do better for patients as well as to improve the environment for the staff who work so hard on the frontline.  There is progress locally because the Trust is being supported to improve; other Trusts elsewhere in the country do better and we should not settle for poor management.

"I've raised mental health issues repeatedly in Parliament and with Ministers and it's a matter of fact that there is some progress nationally towards better funding and equality with physical health.

"I'm looking forward to meeting staff shortly to recap the issues from their experience, which I add to the first-hand work I do for constituents."