Charity urges yearly ‘MoT’ for patients

People with long-term mental health problems should be given an
“annual MoT” at their GP’s surgery, a new guide from a leading
charity recommends.

The examination would include a check on the accuracy of prescribed
medication and a review of physical health. It could be carried out
by a practice nurse who had been trained in basic mental health
matters.

The proposal was contained in a guide published by the Sainsbury
Centre for Mental Health.

Director Dr Alan Cohen said: “People with severe mental illnesses
suffer high levels of physical ill-health. Regular health checks
and advice on healthy living are a vital part of the care they
should receive from their GP.”

The new GP contract recommends that local registers of people with
severe mental illnesses are created. But the centre has recommended
that the register and the annual MoT only apply to individuals with
schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 

– The Primary Care Guide to Managing Severe Mental Illness
from www.scmh.org.uk