Latest admission of failure proves that Cumbria Partnership Trust is not fit for purpose - MP

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has once again described Cumbria's mental health trust as not fit for purpose after they admitted to not giving their staff the proper training to treat young people with autism experiencing mental health problems.

In a letter to Tim, the Chief Executive of the Cumbria Partnership Trust Stephen Eames described treating young people with autism as a "challenge" for child and adolescent mental health clinicians who have "received minimal autism education during their professional training".

The latest revelation follows a long list of ongoing problems with mental health treatment in Cumbria, with a recent investigation by the Times Educational Supplement finding that some young people in the county are waiting more than a year for treatment by the child and adolescent mental health service.

Tim said: "We have some absolutely brilliant mental health professionals here in Cumbria, but sadly they are being constantly let down by woeful management.

"And the direct consequence of this is the effect this has on the lives of our young people who aren't able to get access to the crucial help they need and deserve.

"With no sign of things improving, it's now blatantly clear that the Partnership Trust is not fit for purpose - it's time that our mental health services were provided by a trust that puts our area first."