26.03.14
Mental health services at ‘tipping point’
Mental health services are at a “tipping point” and bold leadership is required to ensure funding parity in the future, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network (MHN) has claimed.
Stephen Dalton added that after decades of transformational change and improving care with resources available, it’s now time for the government to play its part and recognise the importance of mental health.
MHN is also calling for incoming NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens to demonstrate a “commitment to parity” between mental health and physical health. The call sits alongside the mental health sector’s continued challenge of unequal funding reductions for acute hospitals and mental health services.
At its 2014 annual conference today, which focuses on the future of mental health over the next 20 years, the MHN will also call for the government’s pledge on parity of mental and physical health to be matched with parity of funding.
In ‘The future of mental health: #MHN2014’ discussion paper, being launched at the conference, the Network says projections for a significant gap in investment are a major cause for concern among members, and that “bold leadership” is vital to tackle it.
The paper also sets out challenges facing mental health and mental health services, including demographic changes and economic challenges. It argues that a “coherent” plan is “essential” if the sector is to meet the future demands it will encounter.
(Image of Stephen Dalton copyright NHS Confederation)
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