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Phased return to mental health face to face services

Mental health support for people in Hampshire will be a mix of online and in-person appointments - as most Covid restrictions end on Monday (19 July).

Solent Mind will reintroduce safe face to face services alongside retaining the best of its phone and online adaptations, which have brought accessibility benefits to many.

CEO Kevin Gardner said: "It is very positive that, through the success of the vaccination programme, the country is reaching a position where the lifting of these restrictions on our freedoms can be contemplated at long last. At the same time, however, we are moving into what the Health Secretary himself has called ‘uncharted territory’, with infections on the rise again and with many people still to receive double vaccination.

"Returning to the workplace and society is a cause of anxiety to some, and we must pay particular attention to this as an organisation supporting people experiencing mental health issues. Our top priority has been the personal health, safety and wellbeing of our staff and service users. This remains the position more than ever as we move into this next phase of managing the effects of the pandemic."

Solent Mind will work collaboratively with staff, service users, partners and commissioners to put in place new team and individual working patterns that blend home and office working, and reintroduce safe face to face services. This will be guided by further updates to its service risk assessments and continuity plans.