08.08.12
Mental health spending drops by 1%
Spending in real terms on mental health has decreased for the first time in a decade, a Department of Health report shows. Once inflation is taken into account, investment fell by 1%, to £6.63bn.
In total, spending on mental health services in England dropped by £150m – the first fall since 2001. Investment in traditional priority areas, such as crisis resolution and assertive outreach also fell for the first time, by £29.3m.
A Labour party spokesman said: “Ministers simply aren’t putting their money where their mouth is and vulnerable people will pay the price when crucial services are hit.
“The prime minister has cut the NHS budget two years running and the impact of this is clear – millions less for mental health for the first time in a decade, thousands of nursing posts axed and treatments being rationed.”
The estimated cost of mental ill health is over £75bn a year, and charities argue there is wide variation in spending across the country.
Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, said: “This report shows a worrying trend ... during difficult economic times mental health is an easy target for cuts.”
A DH spokesperson responded: “Investment in psychological therapy has doubled over the last three years from £197m to £386m and continues to rise. This is allowing people to access psychological therapies earlier, which is driving up standards in care, reducing hospital admissions and delivering long-term savings.
“However, we know we need to continue to improve the commissioning of mental health services.”
View the report at: www.dh.gov.uk/health/files/2012/07/FinMap2012-NatReportAdult-0307212-v3-PDF-1284K.pdf
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