Mental health charity Leeds Mind has been informed that NHS Leeds intends to cut the cash it pays for services, from April 2011. As a result, two projects will have to be abandoned, and 15 people could be made redundant.

The charity has been told that their services no longer fit the priorities of Leeds health commissioners. Leeds Mind chief executive, Julian Turner, believes that the cuts could affect the recovery of those suffering from mental health problems:

“Many people will be deprived of a service as the proposed alternatives will not be suitable for, or indeed available to, many people.”

He continued: “Despite providing a range of effective and responsive services to people, we now have to lay off staff and shut down valued services.”

However, a statement released by NHS Leeds says that it is committed to a vibrant and sustainable third sector.

“NHS Leeds has agreed and invested over £1.4m of new growth money into third sector mental health services in 2010/11. Our focus is on increasing the number of people who have access to mental health services.

“We are committed to working with Leeds Mind to minimise any potential adverse effects of these changes on their service users, while enabling Leeds Mind to compete for any new opportunities that may arise through future community service developments.”