Concerns have been raised over plans which will see senior managers of the region's struggling mental health trust moving out of its current headquarters. 

In the coming months, the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust will be relocating many of its office-based staff to County Hall - including its board of directors.

The trust's bosses currently have their headquarters at Hellesdon Hospital, a site it shares with many of its clinical facilities.

However, as part of plans to dispose of some of the site for development, bosses are set to move to County Hall - which they say will save around £3m per year in maintenance costs.

It will also see them share part of Norfolk County Council's headquarters with fellow NHS bosses from the local integrated care system and social care services.

But critics fear this may result in leaders becoming more removed from their clinical staff based at Hellesdon and its other locations.

Eastern Daily Press: Councillor Emma Corlett

Labour county councillor Emma Corlett said: "While it might sound like a good idea to have social care, ICS and NSFT in the same place I worry about a bubble effect.

"Given the system has proved to be so lacking in accountability the prospect of them becoming ever more insular and remote is of concern.

"It is worth highlighting that NSFT remains subject to special measures there is a real need for all senior leaders to be engaged and fully aware of what is going on in clinical services."

Cath Byford, deputy chief executive of NSFT, said: “The current Victorian office building from which staff are moving is not cost-effective to maintain or fit for purpose.

"Those staff moving to County Hall will benefit from a modern working environment and good transport links. We are engaging with staff who are affected by the moves.

“There are no plans to move any of our clinical services or patient contacts to County Hall.

“We expect moves to County Hall will start late-summer."