A new helpline to support people who have been affected by a death scandal at the region's mental health trust has been set up by local NHS bosses.

A review of mortality data at the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) was published last month, containing a host of stark statistics regarding the number of people who have died in the trust's care.

It also exposed several shortcomings and inconsistencies with the way NSFT recorded its data - which has sparked intense criticism from campaigners and bereaved families alike.

Now, NHS Norfolk and Waveney, the organisation responsible for managing health services locally, has set up a helpline specifically for people affected by the scandal.

It has commissioned Yorkshire-based Just B, an emotional wellbeing and support charity, to run the service to ensure callers know it is independent of the local trust.

The helpline will not be able to provide specific information about the review itself, but will instead provide trauma and bereavement counselling and a "friendly and listening ear".

It comes with campaigners continuing to call for a public inquiry to be held into the scandal - who have written to the secretary of state with their concerns.

In a meeting with health bosses last week, members of the Campaign to Save Mental Health Services in Norfolk and Suffolk outlined the need for such a service.

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On behalf of the campaign, Caroline Aldridge, whose son Tim died in 2014 at the age of 30, said: "Why did nobody have enough emotional intelligence to foresee that bereaved families would be upset and prepare for that?

"One thing that would have helped would be a helpline.

"At this point it will be a fully independent listening service staffed by people qualified to offer therapeutic support over the phone."

The helpline is open daily from 8am until 8pm on 01423 856799.