11 September 2008
In response to the Healthcare Commission’s survey of community mental health services, Simon Lawton-Smith, Head of Policy at the Mental Health Foundation today said:
“The survey suggests that only one in ten people who get support under the Care Programme Approach feel they get poor care - so services are getting it right most of the time. However the Government is about to remove over 350,000 people from the Care Programme Approach, which arose out of concern about inadequate follow-up care for people leaving psychiatric hospitals. That’s nearly three-quarters of all those currently getting Care Programme Approach support.
Lawton-Smith also said that the imminent changes to the Care Programme Approach system are worrying:
“In theory all individuals receiving mental health services in the community are entitled to receive high quality care. But the actual level of support for them will be decided locally. Given the known shortfalls in care for this group and pressures on local budgets, the loss of Care Programme Approach status for so many people could also mean a loss of services”.
Notes to editors
The press office team can be contacted on: 020 7803 1128. Out of hours: 07967 586489.
The Care Programme Approach requires health and social services to integrate their assessments to make sure everybody with a mental health problem who needs support gets properly planned, coordinated and agreed care.
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.
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