Computer technology is helping doctors identify patients with long-term conditions at risk of deterioration, before they need hospital care. Using patient information from a range of sources, a new programme predicts when people with conditions such as asthma will take a turn for the worse.
Commenting on today's [Friday] report from the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health showing what would be needed to meet the ten-year National Service Framework for adult mental health care, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:
A major spending boost is needed if mental health care is to meet the government's expectations for 2010/11, a charity has warned. Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health examined the resources needed to meet the government's 10-year National Service Framework. It says public spending on mental health care must increase by a further 50% over and above inflation. And staff numbers must increase by almost 40% to meet the targets.
Up to one in three mental health patients are being over-prescribed drugs, says the Healthcare Commission.
Disabled children who do not live at home should have the right to an advocate who can speak on their behalf, according to the Children's Society. The organisation says that more than 13,000 children placed away from home are at greater risk of abuse.
The court of appeal is being asked to decide if people in privately-run care homes should have stronger protection for their human rights.
