12.09.14
New Samaritans partnership to support vulnerable patients
North Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust (NEP) has entered a new partnership with the Samaritans, aimed at providing support to vulnerable residents and patients in the area.
The charity will work with the trust on a referral basis to provide support for vulnerable residents and patients in north Essex, Suffolk and Thurrock.
Three Samaritans branches in Chelmsford, Colchester and Ware will manage referrals from NEP through a special telephone service based at each of the sites. The charity will only call people if they have been given consent to contact them by the person concerned. The content of calls will be confidential.
It is expected the partnership between Samaritans and NEP will offer vital help for people experiencing mental illness and support the government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which aims to reduce the number of suicides in England.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership, care minister Norman Lamb MP said: “This partnership is an excellent idea, and I urge more NHS organisations to work with Samaritans to tackle such a crucial issue.
“I am determined to improve mental healthcare so that fewer lives are so tragically lost to suicide.”
NEP provides mental health, substance misuse and social care services and support for over 17,000 people and their families in north Essex and Suffolk and GP services in Thurrock.
Andrew Geldard, chief executive at NEP, added that working in partnership is at the core of NEP’s values and he welcomes the “fantastic opportunity to work with Samaritans who are well known for helping people in times of crisis”.
(Image: Andrew Geldard, chief executive at NEP; and Catherine Johnstone, chief executive at Samaritans)
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