12.03.14
Mental health funding cuts ‘could put lives at risk’
A cut in funding to people suffering from mental health problems is a clear breach of the government’s promise to treat patients with psychological or physical conditions equally, and could put lives at risks, patient charities have warned.
In a letter to the Guardian newspaper, six charities have warned that a recent decision by NHS England and the health regulator Monitor to cut funding for mental health services by 20% more thanNHS hospital trusts will put lives at risk.
In the letter,Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Mental Health Foundation, the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network and the Centre for Mental Health say the decision sends “a disturbing and deeply disappointing message, and is likely to have far-reaching consequences for people with mental illness”.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “It is becoming clearer every day that the funding cuts we have seen over recent years are really starting to bite, which is having a dramatic impact on people with mental health problems.
“Mental health services have always been underfunded and there simply isn’t any room to make additional savings without compromising the quality and safety of care. We need NHS England and the Government to take urgent notice of our warnings and invest in mental health, not reduce funds.”
Recently, a report by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), commissioned by the Care and Support Alliance, revealed that since 2005, 30,000 people with mental health problems have lost their social care support, following a £90m shortfall in funding due to cuts to local authority budgets. A survey by The College of Social Workalso found that three out of four social workers (76%) say more investment in community mental health social work is needed locally.
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), added that the RCN is a member of the Parity of Esteem Working Group and supports the government’s commitment to bringing about equality between mental and physical health.
“However, this simply will not happen until more resources are made available for mental health. It is therefore hugely disappointing to hear that NHS England is not planning any uplift in mental health funding,” he said. “Mental health services are currently under huge pressure as they face increasing levels of demand, high rates of bed occupancy, and insufficient staff numbers. This development is a further blow as we know that many mental health trusts have had their funding reduced in recent years, which has exacerbated the situation.”
The consortium of patient charities added that following Mid-Staffs, all NHS services are now obliged to comply with the Francis Report to improve care and safety for patients. “NHS England funded the additional costs of implementing these recommendations, yet they withheld this from mental health services – creating a significant budget shortfall,” they added.
(Image copyright: David Cheskin/PA Wire/Press Association Images)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]