Faster growth for acute mental health

Spending on hospital-based mental health services in England has increased faster than on community services despite the government’s commitment to community care.

A report from think-tank Reform found spending on in-patient, outpatient and day-patient services rose by 37 per cent, or £1.1bn, to £4.1bn from 1999-2000 to 2003-4.

But spending on community mental health services rose by only 31 per cent, or £400m, to £1.7bn.

The study backed developing a mixed economy of care in cognitive behavioural therapy and direct payments for people who need therapy in the community.

● Report