More schizophrenia guidance urged

Social care advice should be included in guidance on how to treat
schizophrenia, mental health charity Rethink said last week.

The charity cautiously welcomed the guidelines published this week
by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on the medical
treatment of schizophrenia, but said social care guidance should
also be included.

Rethink’s members believe that, in addition to medical care, they
need a home, money and a social network.

Director of public affairs Paul Farmer said: “Because the institute
can only cover NHS issues, joint guidelines with the Social Care
Institute for Excellence are also needed so that the full range of
support required to help recover and become socially included is
established.”