RESPONSIBILITY for mental health and learning disability services in the Vale of York has transferred as planned to the new NHS provider.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) took over services from Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) on October 1, after being awarded the contract to provide these services earlier this year.

The Trust already provides mental health and learning disability services in other parts of North Yorkshire including Harrogate and Scarborough.

TEWV was rated as ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission earlier this year and the Trust’s leadership was rated as outstanding.

The Trust’s chief executive, Martin Barkley, said: “We are looking forward to working with staff and local people to improve mental health and learning disability services for the people of the Vale of York.”

“Since the CQC announced their decision we have been supporting our colleagues at LYPFT to make sure people in the Vale of York continue to receive the mental health care and treatment they need, when they need it.

Rachel Potts, the chief operating officer at NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group said: “The CCG is confident that by working in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust that patients will receive safe and high quality mental health and learning disability services.

“The specification for the new service contract was co-designed with local service users, members of the community and clinicians through an extensive engagement programme earlier in the year.

She added: “These views have played an integral role in specifying the new contract and I’m looking forward to Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust delivering the care that the people of the Vale of York said they wanted.”