Helena Dollimore has expressed deep concern over the impending suspension of NHS funding for the Eggtooth Mental Health Service, a vital resource for young people across Hastings and Rother.
Established in 2022, Eggtooth has exceeded expectations by providing mental health support to nearly 1,000 children and adolescents, surpassing its target of 750.
The Eggtooth programme offers early intervention and sustained support through creative and therapeutic approaches, helping young people facing challenges such as anxiety, depression, and neurodivergent conditions.
However, with NHS funding set to end in March 2025, the service has been forced to suspend new referrals, leaving many families without crucial support.
Helena has raised her concerns with Adam Doyle, CEO of the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, urging him to reconsider the funding cuts. She also spoke in Parliament, highlighting the devastating impact the closure of Eggtooth could have on an already overwhelmed mental health system, particularly for young people in the area.
Helena praised the Labour government’s commitment to addressing mental health challenges by reducing waiting lists and increasing mental health support in schools. There are plans to recruit 8,500 mental health specialists into the NHS to help ease the burden.
“For too long mental health has not been given the same focus as physical health. It has not been given the same funding or the right focus, and there has been far too much stigma in talking about it,” Helena says, “The withdrawal of Eggtooth from children’s mental health services in Sussex would leave a profound gap in support for vulnerable young people.”
In response to Helena’s work, the Minister for Mental Health Andrew Gwynne MP, said he hopes the Integrated Care Board, the NHS organisation responsible for planning health services for local areas, listens and acts.
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