The deadline has been extended for people across East Sussex to give their views on proposals to change local mental health services so that more people are able to stay at home, rather than needing to go into hospital for care and treatment.
The public consultation on proposed options for inpatient mental health care in the county was due to close on 1 June 2010.
However, the consultation will now end at noon on Tuesday 8 June 2010.
Lisa Compton, Director of Assurance and Engagement for NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, says:
"We want to hear the views of as many people as possible to help us make sure we make the best decisions about how and where services are provided in the future.
Because of the period of negotiations before the new government was formed after the general election, we had to postpone some of the work we had planned to do to help gather people's opinions.
Although these plans were all re-arranged, we have decided to extend the consultation by a week to ensure that everyone has as much chance as possible to give us their views."
All the feedback and responses from the consultation is being collected and analysed by an independent organisation.
They will produce a report identifying the themes and issues raised which will be presented to the Boards of the East Sussex Primary Care Trusts, NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, as well as Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust who provide a wide range of mental health services across Sussex.
The final decision will be made in public by the Boards of the East Sussex PCTs in July, once they have had time to consider the consultation feedback and responses.
For more information on the consultation, please visit our consultations web page.
You can also call tel 01273 403550 or e-mail joel.hufford@esdwpct.nhs.uk
