The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, has announced that treatment for mental health conditions will be brought into line with other NHS services with the introduction of the first ever waiting time standards. There will also be £120 million to improve mental health services.
From April 2015 onwards, most patients needing talking therapies – for conditions like depression – will be guaranteed the treatment they need in as little as 6 weeks, with a maximum wait of 18 weeks.
For many patients experiencing their first episode of psychosis, the NHS will start to provide treatment within 2 weeks of referral – bringing it into line with consultations for cancer. Evidence shows that treating psychosis rapidly can dramatically improve patients’ chances of recovery and potentially save £44 million each year in hospital admissions.
Nick Clegg said “At least 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem in our lives. Whilst I have nothing but praise for the tremendous work of NHS staff, the system is still letting patients down.”
“It’s wrong that relatives and friends needing a hip operation can expect treatment within a clear time frame but someone with a debilitating mental health condition has no clarity about when they will get help.”
The announcement is part of a radical 5-year plan to end years of imbalance between mental and physical healthcare services, backed by £120 million of funding over the next 2 years.
Mental Health Has to Be a Priority for Everyone
Norman Lamb, Care and Support Minister said “I want to build a fairer society and that means mental health has got to be a priority for everyone. As well as being potentially devastating for people affected, mental illness has an enormous impact on our economy.”
“That’s why, through these plans, I am absolutely determined to make sure anyone with a mental health condition can expect the same standards of care as they would for a physical health problem.”
Currently, most people who are referred for treatment for a physical health problem can expect to start their care within 6 weeks, with an absolute maximum of 18 weeks. The plans announced today will mean that people referred for talking therapies will benefit from the same standards.
This fantastic news will no doubt please those who suffer with or care for someone who suffers with a mental health disorder, plus the level of support and intent shown by the government in this initiative makes is seem like they are really in for the long haul when it comes to supporting mental health treatments that are and will be available on the NHS.
Do you feel that the government have made the right choice in this recent announcement and how should this funding be distributed?
Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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