FYLDE mental health services are now among the most advanced in the country, claims a health service chief.

And a top-level seminar for Lancashire NHS managers last week plotted how to improve services even further.

Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Community Health Trust has completely restructured its mental health services in the past few years, helping many more people who prefer to be treated at home rather than hospital.

Community mental health teams, resource centres, clubs, therapy groups and a crisis intervention service are now on offer. And a mental health helpline - the first in Lancashire - is run by trained volunteers to provide information and a listening ear for carers or patients.

In addition, Blackpool Victoria Hospital's psychiatric unit, Parkwood, has been refurbished, with an intensive care unit for people in crisis and a special ward to assess the elderly acutely mentally ill.

Nurses also follow up anyone who turns up in casualty with a drug or alcohol problem and counsellors liaise with GPs to help anyone in temporary crisis, such as bereavement or stress.

Chief executive Philip Scully said the trust, along with NW Lancashire Health Authority, had developed one of the most advanced mental health services in the country.

"We have worked immensely hard to set up a dynamic service which meets people's needs," he said. "But that doesn't mean we can now rest on our laurels. We must constantly review our practice to ensure we give the best possible service to local people."

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