Government To Slash Mental Health Funding Again, Figures Show

[Northerner]

Mental health funding will be cut in many areas of Britain in the next year, and the postcode lottery will worsen, new figures show.

At least 73 local areas will see their GP mental health budgets slashed in 2016/2017, according to government data obtained by Labour MP Luciana Berger.

The gap between the smallest and largest spends will also widen: Haringey’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will put 16 percent of its budget on mental health, for West Hampshire that figure will be 5 percent.

This will be the third year the government has failed to meet its target of increased mental health spending. Berger, who heads Labour’s mental health campaign, called the development “dangerous”.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...gain-figures-show_uk_57e29667e4b004d4d8618eb3

Hold on, weren't they supposed to be giving extra funding, to bring it up to the level of physical illness? Why are they so intent on destroying people's lives? 😡

 

[Owen]

That's me knackered

 

[Amigo]

It's shocking when you consider a mental health audit in the U.K. this year concluded that;

Mental illness is the largest single cause of disability, accounting for 23 per cent of NHS activity – but only six per cent of research spending;

I watched on tv last night, the distress of the parents of the mentally tortured young guy who has just killed himself by 'swallowing a knife'. The services apologised and said they were overwhelmed and had been unable to offer him the care he needed.

 

[mikeyB]

These problems can be traced back to the Care in the Community scheme kicked off by Thatcher's government. This put responsibility for care on to local authorities, and freed up the NHS to close the large Victorian mental hospitals and profit from land sales. This would have worked if fully funded, but it never has been, and is now worse than ever. The number of inpatient beds for the mentally ill has plummeted. Care of the mentally ill now is not a lot better than a third world country, with the mentally ill living on the streets or in b&b accommodation.

When I was in training, I worked at a large mental hospital, Oakwood, in Barming near Maistone. For sure, the long stay wards were a bit grim, but the acute wards were great. Patients would come in, get full treatment and attention from doctors and nurses. Quite a few could get discharged home, but we did have supervised home conditions on site to make sure people could cope at home before discharge. And some patients were on a priority readmission, so if they banged in the door anytime day or night, someone would look after them until such time as they could be admitted. There was, of course, a full outpatient service and clinics.

It wasn't perfect, but it was a damn sight better than what we've got now in mental health care.

 

[Owen]

In my county, you have to travel. A suicidal person was sent to London and before that Manchester.

 

[Andy HB]

I think my problem with 'news items' like this is that they are sourced from people with a vested interest in the result.

The same goes for government inspired information leaflets etc.

Basically, these days, one can rarely take anything at face value and so one never feels adequately informed to make a judgement about the veracity of any claim.

What a <insert suitable filthy phrase> world we live in!

Andy

 

[Northerner]

I think my problem with 'news items' like this is that they are sourced from people with a vested interest in the result.

It says the data is sourced from the government, who hardly have a vested interest in poor figures 🙄

 

[Andy HB]

It says the data is sourced from the government, who hardly have a vested interest in poor figures 🙄

Ever heard of the selective use of statistics? 😉

 

[Northerner]

Ever heard of the selective use of statistics? 😉

I take your point, but the only thing the government ever seem to give as 'positive' is that they are spending more money. Big deal, it's called inflation, and the 'extra money' has been well below what is needed for the past 6 years 🙂

 

[mikeyB]

The trouble is, you can't pump money into services that no longer exist.

 

[Andy HB]

I take your point, but the only thing the government ever seem to give as 'positive' is that they are spending more money. Big deal, it's called inflation, and the 'extra money' has been well below what is needed for the past 6 years 🙂

I think we're on the same page. I agree (I think) 🙂

The trouble is, you can't pump money into services that no longer exist.

Root and branch reform, that's the ticket!

Andy (feeling a little disillusioned at the moment, but I'll get over it ... not sure about those who are at the sharp edge though) HB