Mental Health should not be in danger from NHS reform
Mental health charity Mind today said it was vital that the NHS reforms did not jeopardise the continuity and quality of care received by people with mental health problems. The charity was responding to today's report on NHS commissioning, published by the Health Select Committee. The cross-party committee found the Government's plans for the NHS introduced "significant institutional upheaval" without really changing its aims. MPs said they were "surprised" by the "significant policy shift" between what the coalition promised to do in May and the plans set out in its health white paper in July.
The report comes ahead of tomorrow's publication of the Health and Social Care Bill, which details a radical overhaul of the NHS. Under the plans, most of the NHS budget will pass to GPs, who will take control of commissioning services for patients. Strategic health authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) - which currently commission services - will be abolished as a result of the legislation.
Mind gave evidence to the Health Select committee last year, representing the views of the one in four people who will be affected by mental health problems.
The charity's chief executive Paul Farmer said: "It is vital that any changes to NHS commissioning do not jeopardise the continuity and quality of care received by people with mental health problems.
"There is a real risk that valuable mental health knowledge and skills could be lost in the transition process and that some mental health services will be vulnerable to closure or disruption. We know from past experience that mental health services often bear the brunt of health budget cuts and we can not allow history to repeat itself.
"GPs have limited specialist knowledge on mental health and we're worried that this lack of understanding will affect commissioning choices. Stigma and discrimination are still major problems for mental health and it does not enjoy the same level of public sympathy as other health issues. GPs have already expressed concern that they will be faced with doorstep lobbying to commission services that have the most vocal and widespread support and this could mean that mental health loses out in the battle for resources.
"However, NHS reform also presents opportunities for improvements to mental health services. GP commissioning will offer a chance to develop more personalised local services, specific to the needs of a community and replacing the sometimes 'one size fits all' approach. It also presents an opportunity for consultation with the third sector to provide expertise, specialist services and increased engagement with marginalised groups."
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said the NHS must simplify its structure and cut bureaucracy to release further savings for patient care. "We are simply building on the best of what already exists - for example GPs working in practice-based commissioning groups, foundation trusts, patient choice and payment by results for hospital services," he said.
Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. It works to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. For more information visit www.mind.org.uk.