Government creates new mental health institute

A mental health institute is to be created in England to drive
forward changes in the NHS.

The aim of the National Institute for Mental Health will be to
co-ordinate research, disseminate information, facilitate training
and develop mental health services.

A network of leading institutions will be set up to work
collaboratively, and run large clinical trials that are currently
rare in mental health.

The institute, which will be led by national director for mental
health Louis Appleby, and located within the NHS Modernisation
Agency from its launch date in the autumn, will also develop a
national research plan.

Health minister Jacqui Smith said: “This new institute will
bring together agencies, patients, carers and health professionals.
It will improve the care of, and prospects for, people with mental
illness and lead to more consistency in how services are delivered
across the country.”