A PIONEERING GP-run mental health project which prevented 16 suicides in its first year is being extended to another 15,000 patients across County Durham.

The scheme, which is delivered to patients from GP surgeries across the region, is to be extended for a further year thanks to additional funding from the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (DDES CCG).

Originally due to end at the beginning of April this year, the Suicide and Self-Harm Prevention Project, designed and delivered by South Durham Health Community Interest Company (SDH CIC) – a not-for-profit federation of 24 GP practices in County Durham – will now run until March 2016.

Dr Robert McKinty, chairman of SDH CIC, said: “I am pleased to say our project is not only playing a significant part in saving lives, it is also saving the economy money so funds can be redirected to other areas of healthcare need.”

The project began running across Newton Aycliffe in April 2014, covering three practices including Newton Aycliffe, Blackhall and Peterlee, supporting a local population of approximately 30,000 patients. The aim of the project was to offer patients, who were identified by healthcare professionals as being at risk of self-harm or suicide attempts, a support system whereby they could have access to the treatment they needed to prevent such tragedies.

At the end of the initial roll-out period, 170 people had been referred into the scheme including 16 who were planning suicide attempts.

These patients have been given the treatment they needed to manage their mental health issues, and are now living happier and healthier lives.

The scheme is now being rolled out across Thornley and Shotton, bringing the service to an additional 15,000 patients.

Once a patient has been referred to the scheme by their GP or nurse practitioner, the patient is then quickly seen by two Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPNs) at a venue to suit the patient. The CPNs support the patient and help signpost the individual to other healthcare services.

With regular liaison between the patient’s GP and other mental health colleagues, the CPNs ensure their individual needs are met to help prevent self-harm and suicide.

As well as receiving care from CPNs and GPs, patients referred to the scheme can also receive support from the community team in a number of other ways.

Recently nurses have helped patients by attending employment tribunals, bankruptcy hearings, and court cases as well and helping with housing difficulties.