Mind response to Department of Health report on mental health investment

Posted Friday 12 August 2005

Mind responds to Rosie Winterton's speech at National Mental Health Nursing Conference

Mind today welcomes the recent increase in funding and community services for mental health as reported by the Department of Health, which we hope will benefit the many thousands of service users in the UK. It is important that there are ongoing efforts to ensure an equal level of service throughout the UK, as we know some parts of the country still have poor services, particularly rural communities.

Mind is also concerned that crisis services supposed to be available over 24/7 are still not running 24/7 in many areas, despite the evidence of the significant benefits that this provision can bring.

Mind Chief Executive Richard Brook commented:

"Clearly these vital increases in mental health service provision are welcome, and will provide great benefits for many.

"We need to be sure that these will now be applied consistently across the whole of the country, and that the new teams are fully resourced - many are currently behind target in their staff numbers.

"Also we must hope the positive progress made will not be undermined by the Government's response this week to the recent Joint Committee Mental Health Bill report, which threatens to undo much of the good achieved so far."

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