Support plan is snubbed

The Department of Health has turned down a request to give
direct support to the Federation for Smaller Mental Health
Agencies.

Junior health minister John Bowis said the formation and funding
of the federation ‘is quite properly a matter for the relevant
organisations’.

He suggested the federation apply for a section 64 grant from
the department.

Matthew Trust director Peter Thompson, who instigated the
federation, set up in February, said: ‘It is sad the DoH was unable
to involve the smaller agencies in the consultation process.’