Big thanks to West Somerset LINk participants!

A big thank-you to all who responded to our survey of West Somerset residents for the Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) for West Somerset.

22 residents responded to our survey along with a third sector charity group (Mind in Taunton & West Somerset).

Thanks to all who responded. Your comments will be included in the report that has been sent to the JNA Project Manager for NHS Somerset, and included in the final JNA report that will help determine how services are planned and commissioned in West Somerset.

The results of our survey can be found in our Somerset LINk West Somerset Voice JSNA Report.

Our findings (from Section iv, 'Conclusion')

"The data is this report stands alone as a representation of the views of the Somerset LINk participants about health services and social care services in West Somerset. These comments are the views of the individuals who responded and, as such, some of the details may be disputed by service providers.

The West Somerset community has a high percentage of individuals over the age of 65. The themes that emerge reflect a community that is widely dispersed and concerned about the issues that perhaps inevitably go alongside this, such as isolation, a lack of local services, economic prospects and affordable and efficient transport links.

The LINk would, however, like the draw particular attention to the concerns of Deborah Melmoth, West Somerset Inclusion Project Manager for Mind in Taunton & West Somerset.

The Mind Office in Minehead is the only non-statutory service in West Somerset... indeed the only service for those with mental distress.

We have raised some money towards continuing the project beyond March 2011, and are hoping to secure extra/match funding, so that we can maintain our current level of service delivery. The evaluation [of our services that we are currently undertaking] will be used to inform possible future funders of the project, which, if it were to close in 2011, would leave West Somerset with no services other than the CMHT, (which now no longer provides any "day services"), and Right Steps, but only if you can travel to towns 25-30 miles away.

In an area as large as West Somerset, it is important that mental health services continue to receive funding and that mental health service users are not asked to travel large distances at their own expense to receive face-to-face support.

We will be bringing this issue to the attention of the commissioners of mental health services and would ask that the JSNA project team ensure that this information is fully represented in their final report."