We must no longer banish young people from Cornwall for being unwell

Posted on: 21st March 2017

We must no longer banish young people from Cornwall for being unwell. Councillor Sue James says “This has to be a priority and no there are no excuses. I am right behind the Cowburn family. If a young person becomes mentally unwell they should get the care they need here where their families can be part of their recovery and they can continue their education. We would not accept this for common physical health problems so we must not accept it for being mentally unwell.”

Norman Lamb with Sophia Cowburn

Norman Lamb MP with Sophia Cowburn of the Invictus Trust. The Invictus Trust supports adolescent mental health in Cornwall

Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb calls for dedicated services for young people with mental health needs in Cornwall

Today (Tuesday) the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary and former care minister Norman Lamb MP today visited Cornwall to support calls for a dedicated unit for young people with mental health needs in Cornwall. Visiting Cornwall College, Mr Lamb heard about the proposal for a specialist young persons mental health unit in Cornwall based at the College site.

Currently there is no such unit in Cornwall, which means that young people from Cornwall who need specialist treatment need to be sent out of the Duchy, frequently hundreds of miles from their homes.

The proposed unit has the support of Cornwall Council, Cornwall College and Cornwall NHS Commissioning Group, but the funding from NHS England is not available. It is also supported by the Invictus trust, a Cornwall based charity that supports young people with mental health needs.

Meeting Raoul Humphreys acting Principle and CEO of Cornwall College and Sophia Cowburn from the Invictus Trust, Mr Lamb said: “Cornwall desperately needs a facility such as this, that allows young people to get the treatment they need near their homes, their family and their friends. This is an exciting and innovative project that will transform lives and the Invictus Trust, Cornwall College and other partners are proposing a facility that will be unique in the UK.”

“This scheme illustrates the need for a comprehensive cross party long term approach to funding the Health Service. It is just not good enough that young people are not getting the care and support they deserve, and that they have to travel great distances across the country to get the specialist help they need,” said Mr Lamb.

Simon H Taylor | Cornwall Liberal Democrats Media Officer
M :
 07812 040573
E : cornwalllibdempress@icloud.com

STOP PRESS: Since this visit, money has been announced to build a Unit at Bodmin Hospital. Whilst Sue James is delighted this is the first step towards young people no longer being banished for being ill, she still supports it being located at Cornwall College.