Improved mental health services applauded by MP

Positive impacts on people’s lives and recognised improvements to community mental health services in Shropshire have been applauded by Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley during a visit to the Redwoods Centre at Bicton Heath.

“Over the last three and a half years some amazing work has been going on to transform our local mental health services,” said the MP as she met staff at the Redwoods.

“And this was an opportunity to listen to some inspiring stories that told of the positive impact made on countless lives.”

Along with other facilities and services across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin, the Redwoods Centre has been part of the Transformation Programme, a national initiative to improve mental health services. Health care professionals have been challenged – with input from service users themselves - to think about how best to design and deliver services today and in the years ahead.

Mrs Buckley said: “I was happy to visit the Redwoods Centre where staff were celebrating the successful completion of the Transformation Programme, improving such things as access into healthier lifestyles as well, of course, as the direct delivery of mental health services.

“It was heartening to hear how health and social care professionals have been working with the voluntary sector and local people, including those with experience of mental health services and their carers. It’s all about enabling adults with severe mental illness to access care and support close to home in a new, more joined-up and effective way, regardless of their diagnosis or level of complexity.

“This event at the Redwoods Centre was to honour the dedication and hard work of the service’s staff across Shropshire, Teford & Wrekin, and their Voluntary and Community Sector Assembly partners.”