Charity pleads for rethink on funding

Mental health charity Maca has demanded a review of funding of
mental health services, after a report showed they were costing
double previous estimates.

Head of public affairs Simon Lawton-Smith said the Sainsbury Centre
for Mental Health study, which claimed the cost of mental health
services in England was £77.4bn, illustrated the “true
cost”.

He said: “If things are to get better it is essential the
government now acts on its prioritising of mental health by
ensuring funds are available for primary care trusts to commission
the full range of services that are so badly needed. That includes
prevention and early diagnosis.”

Lawton-Smith added that the government should learn to spend money
on tackling stigma and discrimination as well as services.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Sainsbury Centre for Mental
Health, Matt Muijen, said he was not surprised by a report
published by the Audit Commission last week which found that mental
heath trusts were having financial difficulties despite extra
funding.

– Achieving the NHS Plan from www.audit-commission.gov.uk