MENTAL health care for patients in mid Cheshire is set to be transformed over the next 12 months.

Members of NHS Vale Royal and South Cheshire clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) – which buy healthcare for patients in Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich – joined Eastern Cheshire CCG in signing off plans an improved mental health service on Thursday.

The commissioners have agreed to invest in a 24-hour crisis support service, community beds for mental health patients and an improved home treatment service.

Dr Jonathan Griffiths, a GP at Swanlow Medical Centre in Winsford, is chairman of NHS Vale Royal clinical commissioning group – the body which buys healthcare for patients in the two towns.

He said: “As a GP in Winsford, clearly we do have people who have got very severe and enduring mental health problems and crises who require inpatient beds.

Dr Jonathan Griffiths Dr Jonathan Griffiths

“But the vast majority of people that I see with mental health problems are needing help in the community, they are needing help in their own homes, and we want to enhance that community provision.

“So the decision today is great because that is what it is going to bring to the people of Vale Royal. There is an increase in community provision, an increase in crisis support and crisis beds that will be nearer to home than they currently are.”

The changes are part of a raft of measures to bring mental health care across Northwich, Winsford and Cheshire East up to the standards which national NHS chiefs are calling for.

Thirty full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs will be funded in community mental health support across the area, plus eight FTE positions in home treatment rapid response and two roles in the dementia outreach team.

Patients will also benefit from increased access to therapy, plus 24-hour access to crisis services and beds in the community.

Dr Griffiths believes today’s decision is a major step towards improving preventative care – and ensuring that people who begin to suffer with mental health problems can be supported before any problems hit crisis levels.

He added: “The more we can do to keep people well – both in terms of mental health and physical health – the better.

“If we can increase the investment and increase the support for community and mental health services in our area, that can only be a good thing.”

Inpatient beds for adult mental health or dementia patients are also being provided in Macclesfield as part of the plans, while specialist rehabilitation for patients with the most complex needs will be available in Chester.

It is hoped the new mental health care service will be rolled out by October 2019.