Centre for Mental Health welcomes today’s report from the Health and Social Care Select Committee, which rightly highlights the urgent pressures facing community mental health services.
Kadra Abdinasir, Associate Director of Policy at Centre for Mental Health said:
“These services are the backbone of mental health care and they must be strengthened if the Mental Health Act reforms and wider system change outlined in the 10 year plan for Health are to succeed.
“The Community Mental Health Framework offers a clear, holistic vision for supporting people with severe mental ill health. While there have been promising local developments, we strongly support the Committee’s call for an independent national evaluation to understand its impact and guide future improvement.
“The report makes several important recommendations we endorse. Extending and resourcing the 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centre pilots would help ensure timely, community-based support and reduce avoidable admissions. Retaining the Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS) beyond this financial year is also vital to protect funding and maintain progress.
“We also welcome the Committee’s call for national access and waiting time standards for mental health services. Without them, long waits remain hidden in a way that would be unacceptable in physical health care.
“Restoring physical health check targets for people living with severe mental illness is essential for tackling the unacceptable mortality gap they face. We are pleased the Committee supports our recommendation for an independent mental health commissioner to hold the system to account, alongside full adoption of the Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework to address persisting racial inequalities, and support that addresses the broader social and economic factors shaping people’s mental health.
“The report also rightly emphasises the need for stronger collaboration across health, social care and the voluntary and community sector and improved workforce planning.
“We urge the Government to implement these recommendations in full as part of delivering the 10 Year Plan for Health and to ensure community mental health services receive the sustained investment and attention they urgently need.”
