Ten-year plan to improve mental health

THE shocking state of mental health in the North-West was revealed in a new report which sets out an agenda to improve mental health and mental health care across the region.

And the next three months will see primary care trusts, local authorities, mental health service providers and users and carers across the region, including Oldham, create an action plan to make it happen.

The move is the result of a year-long review of the region’s services by the North-West Commission on Mental Health.

Its report revealed the North-West has the highest level of hospital admissions for depression and anxiety at 55 per cent and 29 per cent above the national average respectively.

It also has the highest rate for hospital admission for schizophrenia, at 39 per cent above the national average.

The report “A Better Future In Mind” sets out 12 recommendations for change — including further action to strengthen the voice for service users and carers, a greater focus on preventing mental health problems, more sophisticated commissioning of services and more investment in staff training and development.

A ten-year action plan to put them into force will be put before the NHS North-West at its February board meeting.

Work will begin in April, next year, and the commission said there were already “many strengths” in the North-West to provide a platform on which to build.

Commission chairman John Boyington, said: “Significant problems need to be tackled, including inequality of access for some groups, relationships between professionals and service users and poor facilities for those who are most acutely ill.”

Sir David Henshaw, chairman of the North-West Strategic Health Authority, said its board was determined to see the recommendations implemented.

He added: “We need to ensure the North-West can provide local people with the world-class mental health services they deserve.”