Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, has rallied Devon’s MPs to publicly oppose the closure of the Devon Recovery Learning Community (DRLC) service.
In an open letter to the Chief Executive of Devon Partnership NHS Trust, Devon’s MPs have urged the trust to rethink their decision, provide an explanation for why the service is closing, and outline what plans are in place to support those who will lose access to this important service.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust has withdrawn most financial support for the DRLC service, which has been in operation for over a decade.
Simon Jupp MP met with DRLC managers, trainers, and service users at the DRLC at the beginning of April. They shared their concerns that the decision to defund the DRLC was made behind closed doors by Devon Partnership NHS Trust executives, without staff or service user engagement.
The service runs recovery courses for adults free of charge. Clients do not need to be referred by health professionals but the service is regarded as a bridge back into the community for people on discharge from the forensic services, the prison services, acute wards, and supported housing. The closure of the service means the end of online courses like photography, self-compassion, understanding anger, and coming to terms with grief and loss. The closure of this service also spells the end of face-to-face courses that run across the county.
The cross-party letter, penned by Simon Jupp MP, has also been signed by Sir Ben Bradshaw MP (Exeter), Richard Foord MP (Tiverton and Honiton), Kevin Foster MP (Torbay), Anthony Mangnall MP (Totnes), Anne Marie Morris MP (Newton Abbot), and Sir Gary Streeter MP (South West Devon).
Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “The closure of this mental health service will have a detrimental impact on the mental health and wellbeing of our communities. That is why I was asked to rally Devon’s MPs together to send this open letter to oppose closure. I’ve spoken to staff and students who feel incredibly worried and feel let down by NHS executives. NHS executives in Devon must urgently rethink their decision.”