Background

Introduction by Vicky Wood, Chair of the Cornwall Partnership Foundation Trust

Introduction by Vicky Wood, Chair of the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

The Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the principal provider of specialist mental health and learning disability services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

While individuals who experience mild or intermittent mental health issues are supported through primary care GP surgeries, CPFT offers intensive inpatient or community-based treatment to children and adults with severe and enduring mental health problems such as psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Our specialist services include Acute Care Psychiatric Units in Redruth and Bodmin, Dementia Assessment Services throughout the county, a Community Veterans Service, the Cornwall Drug and Alcohol Team, a Special Parenting Service to support learning disabled parents, and a newly established Personality Disorder Service.

The health and well-being of children and adolescents is an important and expanding part of CPFT’s services. Our Early Intervention Team acts quickly to identify and treat young people who experience a first episode of psychosis. Our Eating Disorder Service offers individual therapy, family support and diet and nutrition advice. Our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service addresses a wide range of mental health problems in young people, such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and deliberate self-harm.

From April 2011, CPFT also manages community services throughout Cornwall which support the physical health of children and young people, including School Nurses and Health Visitors.

As a Foundation Trust, CPFT is overseen by a Council of Governors, some elected by Members representing local communities, some elected from among CPFT staff members and others appointed from local health and social care partner organisations.

Our Governors work with the communities and organisations they represent to give people in Cornwall a greater understanding of the needs of our clients and a voice in our healthcare decisions. STOP Stigma was initiated by the Governors to raise awareness of mental health problems and to change attitudes toward people recovering in the community. On their behalf, I want to thank you for participating in this ground-breaking project. I should also take this opportunity to especially thank Georgie Hodgkins, Kate Pordage and Cheryl Ellwood for their inspirational work.

Vicky Wood

Chair, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust