North Lopham man fights for greater mental health support in rural areas

A man whose brother and mother-in-law both died as a result of mental health problems has vowed never to give up his on his battle for greater support.

Nick Fulcher, of The Street in North Lopham, saw his 81-year-old mother-in-law die last year after being transported hundreds of miles to the nearest available mental health bed while suffering with schizophrenia and dementia. His brother took his own life.

“There was no examination to see if she was fit enough to travel before taking her on a six-hour trip,” said the 55-year-old.

“But it’s not about what my family have been through, it’s about the people in Diss and the wider area, waiting to be supported by a system that just isn’t there.

“They are being fobbed off, and it’s not just individuals suffering, it’s whole families.

“We need somewhere in the centre of Diss to provide support seven days a week, which can also provide a social hub and give elderly people somewhere to meet and talk.

“I’ve spoken with the board of Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, but it is funded by the clinical commissioning group in Waveney, so it’s about putting the money in.

“They just say what they think you want to hear. I’m sick and tired of that.”

The trust spent almost £7 million on out-of-area beds in 2019/20, but is keen to ensure that patients being made to travel long distances, as in the case of Mr Fulcher’s mother-in-law, Peggy Copeman, remains a last resort.

Dr Dan Dalton, the trust’s chief medical officer, said: “We are really determined nobody should have to travel miles to access care they should be able to get near to home.

“We have determined that no one, particularly anyone who is frail and older, should ever go to an out-of-area placement again, without one of the executive team and a consultant psychiatrist saying that is the only thing that can be done for them. People’s health must be the priority.”

He added that if “difficult conversations” needed to be had to get beds in the right places, the trust was going to have them.

“I am deeply sorry about what happened,” Dr Dalton added.

After five years of campaigning, Mr Fulcher feels people suffering from mental health issues are still being forgotten and much more needs to be done to put mental health care systems in place in rural areas.

His mother-in-law, Mrs Copeman, died of a suspected heart attack in an ambulance on the M11, near Cambridge, on December 16, after returning from a hospital in Taunton, where she was sent four days earlier due to shortages of specialist mental health beds closer to her home.

“This is about everyone out there who isn’t getting any help,” he said. “We need proper care in place for people in times of crisis.

“There is support in places with higher footfall and hospitals, like Norwich, King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth, but in places like Diss, there is very little here.

“I spoke to Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in March when I was told that everything was there and geared up – they just needed to find a location. Then nothing happened.”

With the plans grinding to a halt, Mr Fulcher repeatedly contacted the trust and was able speak directly to the CCG.

Mr Fulcher (pictured) said: “I was eventually put in touch with the CCG who have recently told me that it will be another three to six months before the support can be put in place.”

“I’m not the sort of person who will just go away if they wait long enough. People are dying needlessly. I’m going to see this through and make it happen. I will never give in.”