John Leech Slams Manchester's Mental Health Service Failures (Manchester Liberal Democrats Online)

Manchester Liberal Democrats Online <info@manchester-libdems.org.uk>

John Leech Slams Manchester's Mental Health Service Failures

October 10, 2006 12:00 AM

John Leech MP is appalled by the failures in mental health care in Manchester

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has slammed the Government for failing people in Manchester with mental health problems. The Healthcare Commission have issued a report on mental health services which rates Manchester's mental health services as "weak" - the worst rating and only given to 3% of all Mental Health Services in England.

John Leech MP said:

"One in four people will suffer mental health problems at some time, yet mental health trusts are facing some of the largest cuts in planned budgets whilst already having to cope with worryingly high recruitment shortages."

"In Manchester the situation seems to be much worse than in most other areas. Urgent action is needed and I will be writing to the Secretary of State for Health and local mental health chiefs to urge action to improve services in our area."

"People with mental health problems are being denied access to the treatment they need to lead a full and independent life due to long waiting times and an acute shortage of non-drug therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy."

"The Government talks about providing more care in the community, but this must involve providing people with the appropriate therapies and support and not simply be used as an excuse to free up hospital beds."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The report can be viewed at:

http://www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/serviceproviderinformation/reviewsandinspections/improvementreviews/adultcommunitymentalhealthservices.cfm

Community mental health services are planned by Local Implementation Teams (LITs), which are responsible for ensuring services are delivered to a high standard.

LITs bring together local NHS organisations, local authorities, voluntary and independent sector organisations, community groups, people who use services and carers. They provide care and treatment for a range of conditions, including depression.

The review assessed all 174 LITs in England against national standards covering: access to services, whether care arrangements address a range of needs and the involvement of people in decisions about their care.

Overall, 9% of LITs were rated as "excellent", 45% as "good", 43% as "fair" and only 3% as "weak".