Derbyshire campaigners call for mental health helpline set up during Covid-19 crisis to be made permanent

Campaigners are calling for a mental health helpline – which was set up to help Derbyshire people struggling during the coronavirus pandemic – to be made permanent.

By Michael Broomhead

Published 27th May 2020, 12:14 BST

Updated 28th May 2020, 10:52 BST

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The Disability Campaigners group wants the helpline to continue after Covid-19 has become ‘history’.

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Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which established the helpline, said it was ‘committed to continuing to provide this valuable service in the future’.

Adrian Rimington, of Disability Campaigners.

Adrian Rimington, of Disability Campaigners.

Adrian Rimington, of Disability Campaigners, said: “Several years ago a similar helpline was in existence but it was closed by the local NHS when they wanted to save money because of the austerity demands from Government.

”Disability Campaigners are determined that this temporary line should become permanent again, continuing after Covid-19 has hopefully become history.

“The helpline has already had a good take up, helping support people and also in the longer term helping to reduce crisis intervention and hospital admissions.

“This not only helps people to feel better but helps save the NHS money – and this would soon outweigh the costs of maintaining the helpline.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said the helpline – which can be contacted on 0300 790 0596 and is currently operational between the hours of 9am to midnight seven days a week – was set up to help residents who are experiencing increased levels of distress or anxiety during this time.

The spokesperson said: “We have received a high level of positive feedback following the launch of the support line and we are committed to continuing to provide this valuable service in the future.

“We are currently in discussion with local commissioners about how best to achieve this, given the support line is currently being provided by clinical colleagues who would usually work in wider trust services.”

Mr Rimington added: “We need more public support to help make retention of the helpline a reality.

“We currently have the support of Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins and Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, and we await responses from others.”

He urged people to show their support for the helpline by emailing [email protected] or contacting Disability Campaigners on Facebook.

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Derbyshire NHS MPs