“The King’s Fund 360-review into mental health care has highlighted the prevalence of the problem with more people suffering with their mental health than ever before. Sadly we know that demand is rising, which is why at Cygnet we remain committed to working together to provide the right care, at the right time, in settings that best meet individual needs.
“We work hard to be a trusted partner to the National Health Service and Local Authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and we want to be part of the solution and work together to reach more people and provide high-quality, compassionate, safe care to those who need it.
“It’s positive to see increased access and investment in mental health services in England but more must be done to ensure people can access care, closer to home. In 2024, our number one priority will be to maintain the quality of our services but we are also committed to expanding our services and plan to open six new hospitals and completely modernise existing facilities as part of an extensive investment programme. We recently opened Cygnet Hospital Sherwood, our new purpose built facility in Mansfield to support men who are struggling with their mental health.
“Our expansion is happening in areas with an identified local need and through Cygnet’s partnerships with the NHS and ICBs. The NHS Five Year Forward View for Mental Health (FYFVMH) and NHS Long Term Plan (LTP) sets out the clear requirement on NHS Commissioners to eliminate inappropriate out-of-area placements. We want to materially aid the NHS, to meet the identified national NHS target and importantly, bring support closer to home for people as we know being close to family is especially important as family support is often a crucial part of the recovery journey.
“The 360-review also rightly highlights that although the mental health workforce has expanded overall, expansion has been insufficient to meet demand. We continue to invest heavily in our staff with 85% of people saying they enjoy working for Cygnet. Future-proofing the workforce by motivating, recognising and rewarding staff is essential – our people are everything. Good care gives each individual the best chance of recovery. We are passionate about working collaboratively with our partners to share ideas and best practice in order to find the best solutions to the workforce challenges.”