Patients supported by Cumbrian helpline run by NHS Direct
Cumbria Partnership Direct is a helpline for anyone living with or caring for someone with mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol issues in the Cumbria area. Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust commissioned NHS Direct to set up and deliver the service in July 2009, following requests from patients and carers in the county. The helpline, which works alongside other local services, is available 24/7.
Cumbria Partnership Direct generally handles around 100 calls a month about a wide range of issues. Patients might be experiencing low mood, be looking for local support services or just need someone to talk to. However, the service saw a significant increase in calls after the tragic events of 2nd June 2010, when 12 people were killed and 11 were injured following a series of shootings in West Cumbria. The following day, the helpline received 65 calls alone - the highest so far in one day and calls continued to come in over the course of the month.
Callers, who were distressed about the incident, were provided with advice and support by NHS Direct staff and where appropriate referred to the dedicated helpline set up by NHS Cumbria following the shootings.
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