The provision of short-stay accommodation in Whitehaven is one of six pilot schemes nationally, funded by NHS England, and focused on providing more mental health and wellbeing support directly in local communities.
CNTW’s deputy chief executive Dr Rajesh Nadkarni said he had visited the flats and found them “warm, welcoming and homely”.
“Going into hospital can be very disruptive and difficult for some people when they need support with their mental health – but at the moment, in many places, there isn’t always a good, safe alternative,” he said.
He added the flats should lead to fewer people being admitted to hospital “because we will be able to assess and support them quickly in their local area”.
It follows criticism of the trust’s decision to close Yewdale Ward, an in-patient facility for those with acute mental health challenges at the West Cumberland Hospital earlier this year.
