A SCHEME to help people with mental health issues in York is facing a shortfall of almost £40,000.

Together York is a local pilot which aims to improve coordination between emergency services, health providers and other services to support those who repeatedly seek mental health assistance.

Consultations between Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), North Yorkshire Police and other organisations have been carried out, and the pilot is expected to cost £137,000.

But a report to City of York Council's health and wellbeing board yesterday said better results would be seen if the pilot were extended to two years.

The report, by Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, also said that so far Vale of York CCG had provided £100,000 to support the pilot, but a bid by North Yorkshire Police to the Home Office Police Innovation Fund had been unsuccessful, meaning the scheme is currently £37,000 short of funds to keep it operational for 12 months.

Mr Madwick said: "The funding arrangements for this pilot are complex, and as yet not wholly resolved.

"There is an active bid to a major national charitable foundation, which has generated a significant amount of positive feedback. In November 2014, the foundation is due to confirm whether they will support the pilot and if so, the scale and duration of the contribution they will commit."

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said she was confident in the strength of the project, and that the funding could be found.

She said: "By investing money up front and intervening in emerging issues earlier, Together York will be able to prevent these issues escalating by ensuring the public sector works more closely together.

"There is a budget shortfall at the moment, but we are confident we will get the funding we need to get Together York up and running, and helping the most vulnerable people in our community."