Mental Health Solicitors

A day service for mental health patients in Reading has been saved after the council and its partner Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) met to discuss options for the continuation of the service.

The current contract for Reading Your Way (RYW) – which is jointly funded by the council and the Berkshire West CCGs – is due to expire in April.

Following the announcement by the CCGs in the summer of 2016 to remove their share of the service's funding, the council says it was left with very little option but to end the service as budget pressures caused by government cuts in funding meant the council was not in a position to support RWY.

However, following the meeting, a way forward has now been found with the council’s NHS partners agreeing to continue to fund the service.

Reading's Lead Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Rachel Eden, said:

“I'm delighted that, following our consultation with service users, we now understand our NHS partners have agreed to commit their half of the funding.

Thanks to the new situation, this vital mental health service can continue – I'm sure this news will be a huge relief to all the people who use and highly value this service. Unfortunately, due to major government funding cuts, the council could not continue to support the existing service on its own.

In those circumstances we would need to look to how we could make the most of our limited resources, while maximising the benefit to users of the mental health services.

However, in partnership with the Berkshire West CCGs, we are more than happy to commit to our ongoing contribution of the funding – and also continue to provide RYW with rent free premises, as we have done for several years.”

Reading's Lead Member for Health and the Council's Mental Health Champion, Cllr Graeme Hoskin, added:

“I welcome the positive news that a way forward has been found for the Reading Your Way service.

Despite the challenge of massive cuts to council budgets, we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our community and to improving the services available so that adults affected by mental health needs can access timely help and enjoy healthy and fulfilling lives.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals to advise on mental health law – and are available across England and Wales at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 020 3114 1124.