Priory Group is proud to be part of Forward Thinking Birmingham, a new mental health partnership, led by Birmingham Children’s Hospital, which aims to transform the city’s mental healthcare for children and young adults up to the age of 25.

Forward Thinking Birmingham was announced in February 2015 as the preferred bidder by Birmingham South Central local system to deliver its £124m five-year mental health service contract.

The community mental health provision, and associated inpatient provision for 18-25 year olds, will now be provided by the combined expertise of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, Priory Group, Beacon UK and The Children’s Society.

Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe where at least one in ten 5-16 year olds suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder, which is around three in every classroom.

A single 24/7 phone number will enable immediate access to experts who will support children, young people, young adults, families and health professionals in getting the services they need. This could range from online and flexible support in the community, to home-based care and urgent services.

The new service will ensure that they no longer get ‘lost in the system' thanks to the provision of a state-of-the-art integrated ‘one care plan’ patient management system.

Sarah-Jane Marsh, Chief Executive of Birmingham’s Children Hospital, said: “Our unique NHS, charity and independent partnership model has been designed with the needs of children, young people young adults and families at its heart, transforming expectations of what mental health services can provide with the intention of setting out young people on a path towards a healthier, happier and brighter future.”

300 children, young people, young adults and health partners, came out in force for a preview of the service – which launches this autumn.