Latest news with #NorfolkandSuffolkNHSFoundationTrust
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women-only mental health service opens for veterans
An online support service for female military veterans "struggling to come forward" has been started for the East of England. The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) is organising the sessions after identifying a gap in care. The service will focus on providing peer support as well as managing mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. It will offer a safe space to discuss sexual assault and harassment within the armed forces. Clinical nurse specialist Vicki Bailey works for the NHS mental health trust's Veterans Integrated Service and identified the need while studying at Anglia Ruskin University. "There wasn't any research around the barriers female veterans face when accessing mental health services and that ignited a passion to offer something bespoke," she said. Some 25 female veterans have signed up so far to join online monthly meetings. RAF veteran Mandy Small, from Rendlesham in Suffolk, served in the RAF as a dog handler. She did two tours of Iraq where she was injured in a mortar blast which knocked her out of an observation tower on to the concrete below. She said she had experienced mental health issues and had had support from the NSFT and was part of the new group. "It's important for everyone, whether male or female, to have a safe space -somewhere that they feel comfortable enough to be able to open up," she said. "I hope these new drop-ins will encourage more people who are struggling to come forward, so they realise they are not alone going through their issues." Ms Small said the prevalence of sexual assault within the armed forces was a barrier to women taking part in support services for veterans. She said: "So many people are still living with the trauma of this, and they have only just been given a voice. "Women-only groups are so important as people don't always feel confident enough to discuss this in front of men." The NSFT provides NHS mental health services across Norfolk and Suffolk, but its new service is available to veterans across the wider Eastern region including Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Essex and Hertfordshire. Veterans can register for the new service via the NSFT website. The plan is to expand the service in the autumn for members who have a mental health issue and need more clinical support. A range of support services for people with mental health and other issues is listed on the BBC Action Line pages. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Weight 'symbolises soldiers' mental health battle' 'I was going at 100mph after returning from war' Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Inquest opens into doctor's death near castle
An inquest has opened into the death of a doctor in the grounds of Norwich Castle. Norfolk Police was called to Castle Gardens just after 10:00 GMT on 21 January. Dr Rajeeve Parkianathan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), died at the scene from a traumatic chest injury. Coroner Jacqueline Lake adjourned the inquest until 29 May. She said the 43-year-old was born in Sri Lanka and lived in Witton, near North Walsham, Norfolk. Dr Faisil Sethi, chief medical officer for NSFT, said the trust was deeply shocked by news of Dr Parkianathan's death. "He was well known across Norfolk and Suffolk as a respected consultant forensic psychiatrist working in our trust," she said. "He will be greatly missed by his colleagues. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Norfolk Coroner Norfolk Police Man found at castle with serious injuries dies
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Inquest opens into death of doctor near Norwich Castle
An inquest has opened into the death of a doctor in the grounds of Norwich Police was called to Castle Gardens just after 10:00 GMT on 21 Rajeeve Parkianathan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), died at the scene from a traumatic chest Jacqueline Lake adjourned the inquest until 29 May. She said the 43-year-old was born in Sri Lanka and lived in Witton, near North Walsham, Faisil Sethi, chief medical officer for NSFT, said the trust was deeply shocked by news of Dr Parkianathan's death. "He was well known across Norfolk and Suffolk as a respected consultant forensic psychiatrist working in our trust," she said."He will be greatly missed by his colleagues. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external.
