25.04.18
RCN seeks views on mental health parity
The Royal College of Nursing is seeking the views of nursing staff working in mental health or delivering mental health services.
The RCN will be asking what could be done to make a difference, both in the workplace and nationally, to achieve greater equality between physical and mental health services.
The commitment to value mental health as equally important as physical health has been made by each country in the UK as evidence shows that people with complex or poor mental health have poorer physical health than the majority of the population.
Tim Coupland, RCN parity of esteem programme lead, said: “The NHS still hasn’t got to the point where people with mental health problems get the same access to care, and the same standards of care, as people trying to get treatment for a physical health problem.
“Nursing staff working in mental health are extremely well-placed to help us examine why progress hasn’t been as fast as we would all like.”
Earlier this year, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS FT received an unexpectedly poor rating for its specialist community mental health services, despite being rated as “outstanding” overall.
The consultation will close on 16 May.
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