New service to benefit mental wellbeing in Rochdale borough

Simon Wootton, Chief Officer, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group

A new service for adults (16+) wanting to improve their mental health and wellbeing in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale will be available from next week.

The service known as ‘Thinking Ahead’ will offer service users a variety of support options depending on the severity of their needs. The service will be delivered by a partnership of providers consisting of the Big Life group, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Gaddum Centre.

The range of providers reflects the ladder of services that are offered, ranging from lower level support for anxiety or depression to higher intensity clinical support and psychological therapies for more enduring mental health illness.

Support will be available at a place that suits service users, with providers working out of a range of venues in the local community, including GP practices. The aim is to take support for mental health issues out of the hospital and clinic setting and into more familiar neighbourhood and community surroundings to help break the stigmas traditionally associated with mental health care.

Service users can be referred via their GP, or they can self-refer via the ‘Thinking Ahead’ phone line or website. Once an individual has been referred, a trained professional will get back to them within a week to have a conversation to work out the best treatment plan for their individual needs.

Simon Wootton, Chief Officer of Heywood Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who shaped and fund the service, said: “Thinking Ahead offers support for people who may not need clinical care, but who could benefit from improving their mental wellbeing.

"This is done by looking at the wider social issues that impact on a person’s wellbeing, such as money worries, relationship issues, substance misuse and social isolation. Those people who need clinical support with their mental health will be able to see trained professionals, who give support through a range of psychological treatments, including counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, or guided online therapy. “

Local GP, Dr Chris Duffy said: “Its good news that our patients will have local, quick and easy access to support for a wide range of mental health issues offering different treatment options. This support is convenient and close to home meaning they will benefit people who in the past may have been deterred from accessing traditional services.

Fay Selvan, CEO of The Big Life group, said: “We are delighted to be delivering the Thinking Ahead service. In all our services, we prioritise working in and for local communities, to make sure that what we deliver meets the needs of our service users.

“Working with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and the Gaddum Centre, Thinking Ahead will do more than just work with people to improve their mental health. We help people look at everything affecting their wellbeing.”

People will be able to self-refer to Thinking Ahead or be referred by their GP, online at: www.thinkingaheadrochdale.com (website live Tuesday 2 May) or by calling 01706 751 180.