News Release, 29 January 2007
On Tuesday 30th January at the House of Commons, the Mental Health Foundation and the Pharmaceutical Schizophrenia Initiative will launch Primary Concerns: A better deal for mental health in primary care, a report that sets out how to deliver improved primary care services for people with mental health problems.
Based on recommendations made by leading figures in the mental health and primary care sectors, the report sets out the issues to be addressed to ensure that primary care mental heath services offer accessible and inclusive services for patients.
The report says that Practice Based Commissioning, which enables primary care practices to save money by providing hospital services direct rather than paying for secondary care services, needs to extend to mental health in order to provide a range of services and treatments to patients. This would require commissioning training for GPs and other primary care staff, and the introduction of a national tariff for mental health.
Primary Concerns: A better deal for mental health in primary care also asserts that people with mental health problems should be receiving the same level of treatment for their physical health needs as others. This need for equality is deemed crucial because people with severe and enduring mental health problems often have worse physical health outcomes.
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:
“Despite the introduction of Practice Based Commissioning, which will drive service re-design and the movement of patients and resources from hospital into the community, mental health is not always considered within the primary care agenda. It is important that policy makers work smarter to ensure that opportunities to improve primary mental health care are not missed, so people with mental health problems get a better deal than at present.”
Ends
Return to news releases 2007
Notes to editors
For further information please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1128 / 1130 or email the press office
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
The Pharmaceutical Schizophrenia Initiative is an association of four pharmaceutical companies (AstraZeneca, Bristol- Myers Squibb, Lilly and Janssen-Cilag Ltd), who are all involved in the development and production of anti-psychotic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia. The four members work towards a common objective: To improve the treatment of schizophrenia for the benefit of those who live with the condition, their carers and society as a whole. For more details about the work of the PSI, please contact Jan Balmer, secretariat via email: jb@janbalmer.com
Return to news releases 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
