Publish date: 17 January 2023

Today (Wednesday 17 January) the Trust welcomed MP and health minister Maria Caulfield to Hammersmith & Fulham Mental Health Unit, for a round table discussion on a range of key health topics as well as a tour of some of the wards.

Trust CEO Carolyn Regan hosted the meeting, and was joined by staff from across acute services to discuss work taking place to support emergency care services this winter, and protect people in mental health crisis.

During the discussion Maria heard about initiatives to divert patients from A&E into more appropriate places of care, through proactive care planning and our Single Point of Access helpline.

The Trust’s partnership work was also highlighted; such as the development of ‘Safe spaces’ with mental health charity Mind and the police across Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow. These spaces were discussed as being key to ensuring people in crisis receive the appropriate mental health care when they are most vulnerable.

Carolyn Regan, Trust Chief Executive said: “We were delighted to host Maria and to share the initiatives we are putting in place with our partners. This winter we are supporting the wider NHS, and ensuring people in mental health crisis receive compassionate and quality care when they most need it.”
Joining Carolyn at the roundtable discussion with the minister were Sonya Clinch, clinical director for acute mental health services, Jessica Newton, Liaison Psychiatry Team Manager, Kristal Ramcharitar, head of acute services H&F MHU, Betty Nabawanuka, inpatient matron, Jimmy Garber, practice development lead and Sombo Weeks from the crisis team.