Marie Goldman MP Visits Priory Hospital To Discuss Mental Health And Addiction Services

Marie Goldman MP, Liberal Democrat MP for Chelmsford and the party’s Women and Equalities Spokesperson, visited Priory Hospital Chelmsford last week (Friday, 17 October) to meet staff and learn more about services for people with mental health conditions, eating disorders and addictions.

During the visit, Marie toured the hospital’s facilities, met with clinicians and service leads, and discussed how closer collaboration between the NHS, local authorities and independent providers could improve access to care and outcomes for patients.

Priory Hospital Chelmsford provides 59 inpatient beds for adults and offers a range of specialist services, including acute mental health treatment, psychiatric intensive care (PICU), eating disorder support and addiction rehabilitation.

Colleagues also discussed Priory’s new national campaign, Break the Chain, which raises awareness of the impact of intergenerational addiction and encourages people to seek help before reaching crisis point, and work with national charity Chasing the Stigma.

Marie said: “It’s fantastic to have a service like Priory here in Chelmsford, supporting people with a wide range of mental health needs, both privately and through the NHS.

“We need to make sure that support is more connected, making it easier for people to get the help they need, when they need it. Mental health affects so many people and shouldn’t be overlooked. Priory is doing a brilliant job of supporting those who need it.”

Louise Griffiths, Director of Strategy and Service Development at Priory, who hosted the visit alongside Rob Mardell, Director of Clinical Services at Priory Hospital Chelmsford, said: “We were delighted to welcome Marie to Chelmsford and share more about our services and the specialist care being provided to patients in the region and beyond.

“It is vital that the system works together to meet the growing demand for mental health and addiction support, and ensure that children and young people have the tools they need to build emotional resilience and wellbeing.

“It is great to have interest and support from MPs like Marie who are advocating for improved services locally and nationally, and we appreciate her help promoting the emotional wellbeing programme for children which will ensure more young people will benefit from the resources available.”