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Promoting social inclusion used to be the preserve of social workers, but nurses and occupational therapists are taking over the role, according to David Morris, programme lead for social inclusion at the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.

Morris, a former social worker, told a fringe meeting: "When I look around at who is leading the efforts on dealing with people as citizens rather than patients, I find the best practice nowadays is definitely by nurses and OTs."

Practice nurse Catherine Gleeson added that the issue of bullying was not being properly addressed, despite the fact it could lead to mental health problems later in life. "Huge amounts have been poured into teenage pregnancy but little has gone to mental health other than small scale projects," Gleeson claimed.