Sussex VCSE Mental Health Strategic Leadership Group – latest update
Posted on 28 November 2024
About the Sussex VCSE Mental Health Strategic Leadership Group:
The Group, formed of VCSE mental health representatives across Sussex, aims to promote and expand the role of the VCSE in helping shape and deliver non-clinical mental health services across Sussex. VCSE organisations involved are Southdown (our Chief Executive, Neil Blanchard, acts as Chair), BHT Sussex, West Sussex Mind, Grassroots Suicide Prevention, YMCA Downslink, Amaze Sussex, Stonepillow, Mental Health VCSE Transformation Team, and Brighton’s Women’s Centre.
Open letter sent to the NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board and NHS leads:
Update of Requests Considering Recent Financial Changes
Context and Changes:
VCSE mental health providers in Sussex are facing intensifying financial and operational pressures, threatening the sustainability and quality of critical services at a time of escalating demand for mental health support. Despite a modest 0.6% fee uplift, the sector must contend with a mandated 15% funding reduction (approximately £1.6 million), alongside rising staff costs driven by higher National Insurance contributions (2.4% of wage costs) and a 6.7% increase in the National Living Wage.
The cumulative impact jeopardises current service delivery, risks long-term harm to community mental health outcomes, and places some providers at risk of closure.
Our Current Priorities:
At the start of 2024/25, the Sussex VCSE Mental Health Strategic Leadership Group identified six key priorities for NHS leaders to address:
- Sustainable Funding
- Inclusion in Strategic Planning
- Simplified Commissioning, Procurement, and Contracting Processes
- Strengthening Partnership and Collaboration with the NHS
- Capacity and Workforce Development
- Service Integration and Innovation
Updated Urgent Requests:
While progress is being made in some areas, as the end of 2024 approaches and VCSE providers prepare 2025/26 budgets, we urge NHS Sussex leadership to respond to the following pressing issues:
1. Urgent Appeal for Restorative Funding Measures: Secure commitments to increase funding allocations in line with national NHS funding uplifts for the next fiscal cycle. This is vital to ensure the critical role of VCSE providers in delivering essential mental health services is not compromised.
2. Adjustment for National Insurance and National Living Wage Cost Pressures:
Provide financial offsets or adjustments to help VCSE providers absorb higher mandatory staff costs. This could include passing on subsidies the NHS benefits from or introducing tailored exemptions for VCSE organisations.
3. Commitment to Continue VCSE Transformation and Representative Funding:
Confirm by the end of December 2024 the continuation of the current £295,000 funding allocation to support NHS system transformation and change programs.
Urgent Action:
While we recognise the financial constraints facing the NHS, urgent recognition and action are needed to safeguard the future of VCSE mental health services across Sussex. These services play a vital role in alleviating pressure on the NHS and ensuring community wellbeing.
The Sussex VCSE Mental Health Strategic Leadership Group meets next on 7th January 2025, and we respectfully request a formal response to these specific requests by 23rd December 2024, or sooner.
Following the letter being sent, the Group has had a response and is due to meet with NHS leads in December 2024.
