COUNCILLORS have received what was described as an "illuminating" presentation covering mental health provision, across the Cumberland Council area, in Carlisle on Thursday (October 26).

David Muir, the group director of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW), together with fellow health professionals were addressing members of the council's health overview and scrutiny committee.

CNTW is the agency responsible for the delivery of mental health care in north Cumbria, Eden and the north east of England, which employs around 9000 staff, at more than 70 sites across the wider region, and covers a total population of 1.7 million - 320,000 within north Cumbria.

When it took over in north Cumbria it inherited a historic £2.4 million gap in the income which stems from the transfer of services but, according to Mr Muir's presentation, CNTW hopes to break even this financial year, but it will be challenging to achieve this.

Members heard that recruitment and staff retention was a problem, particularly in west Cumbria, because a band five staff nurse earns £3000 more just a few miles away in Scotland. However, Mr Muir said they have since been able to recruit 29 international nurses

One initiative which has been successful in reducing detentions by police detentions of patients suffering with their mental health was a new street triage where mental health professionals work alongside officers to quickly assess the person so they can receive the correct treatment rather than being detained.

A number of graphs showed a rise in demand on all community services over the past four years with monthly referrals rising from 1601 in 2019 to 3178 in late 2023.

Similarly caseload had risen from 7926 in 2019 to 8974 in late 2023, appointments have gone up from 7926 to 8974 during the same period and waits had risen from 1166 in 2019 to 2047 in late 2023.

Mr Muir said it was easier for people to be referred and added: "That does have a knock-on effect. As you can see it's a stark representation in terms of demand."

According to the presentation mental disorders that staff can treat include: schizophrenia and associated psychotic conditions; bi-polar affective disorder; depression; complex anxiety states; personality/post trauma issues; and patients with a moderate to high risk of suicide.

Income for the delivery of core services provided via a block contract from the local Integrated Care Board (ICB) which has a total budget of £4.33 billion, of which £342 million comes to CNTW.

Mental health services for north Cumbria require an income of £62 million to remain at a steady state (£45 million for community and access and £17 million for inpatient wards).

Councillor Carni McCarron-Holmes (Maryport North, Labour), the committee chairwoman, said the presentation had been "very illuminating".