A MAJOR cut in funding for a county mental health service has been averted after NHS bosses agreed to put in cash.

The Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) has agreed to pay £500,000 to help those with personality disorders.

The service deals with about 700 people with emotional or mental health issues.

Its £700,000-a-year costs were met by the Department of Health until the end of the 2013/14 financial year.

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The department then cut its contribution to £350,000 for the next year and OCCG put in a further £250,000, leaving a £100,000 shortfall.

There had been concerns about the future of the service when the following financial year begins on April 1.

As previously reported by the Oxford Mail, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust – which provides the service – warned the OCCG that cuts could lead to a rise in suicide attempts and anti-depressant use.

Chief operating officer Yvonne Taylor said: “We believe the investment of £500,000 going forward will enable us to continue to deliver a high-quality service.”

A statement from the Save Our Service group, which fought the changes, said: “We look forward to working with Oxford Health and the OCCG to build a sustainable service.

"Patients are still in distress and it is to be hoped that the new service model is developed soon to help keep everyone safe.”


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