PEOPLE across Essex are being invited to share their views on community mental health services, to help shape how services are provided in the future.

Many mental health services acroiss Mid and South Essex are proved by the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has come under considerable criticism for its record of care between 2000 and 2023 when more than 2,000 mental health-related deaths occured.

It is subject to a major ongoing inquiry chaired by Baroness Kate Lampard

The Lampard Inquiry began in September 2024 and could well run through to the end of this year - or beyond.

The NHS in Essex is taking its own broad review of menatl health provision and is reviewing how these services are currently delivered.

At the moment, different services - such as Talking Therapy services (previously known as IAPT) - are provided under several separate contracts. The aim is to move to one county-wide service, so that people can expect the same standard of care wherever they live in Essex.

To help design this future service, the NHS wants to hear from:

• people who have used mental health services
• carers and families
• community and voluntary organisations

What people say will be considered and help improve future services, alongside information about local health needs and service demand.

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The future service will aim to:

• make it easier for people to get help when they need it
• reduce waiting times
• provide consistent, high-quality support across all areas
• offer more choice, including digital options such as online support
• make sure care is sensitive to people's experiences and backgrounds

Alfred Bandakpara-Taylor, Deputy Director Mental Health, NHS Mid and South Essex Intergrated Care Board said: "People with lived experience of mental health services, and the professionals who support them, understand better than anyone what works and what doesn't.

"Listening to these experiences will help us design services that are fair, accessible, and truly shaped around people's needs."

Details on how to share your views are available at: www.virtualviews.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/service-user-survey