Concerns about the coalition’s policy on mental health raised by
Unite
3 February 2011
The direction of the government’s mental health strategy has
come in for criticism from Unite, the largest union in the
country.
Unite, which embraces the Mental Health Nurses Association
(MHNA), said plans by health secretary Andrew Lansley to scrap
research into mental health would be ‘a very short sighted and
ill-advised move’.
Unite/MHNA was commenting after ministers unveiled the ‘No
health without mental health strategy‘ which outlined how a new
emphasis on early intervention and prevention will help tackle the
underlying causes of mental ill-health.
However, Bristol-based Andy Lauder, chair of Unite/MHNA said:
”Despite many years of ministers putting mental health as a
priority for the health service, we now stand on a precipice facing
reduced services, while at the same time there are soaring demands
on what services will be left.
”The economic cost of mental illness is approximately £110
billion per year – and that’s the government’s own statistics – and
this can only get worse, if research is discontinued.”
Andy Lauder added that plans to axe research into mental health
were: ”Very short-sighted and ill-advised.
”We await the new mental health strategy from the government
with the apparent promise of another £400 million, with an emphasis
on children’s services.”
But he warned: ”Unless this money is ring-fenced for specific
services, it will only be used to plug gaps that are currently
appearing across the country. There need to be specific parameters
set for these funds, when and if, they do eventually appear.
”Mental health jobs - helping the 20 per cent of the population
that suffer from mental illness in their lifetimes - are not
sinecures, but vital roles in maintaining and improving the health
of the nation.”
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information, please contact Unite’s communications
officer, Shaun Noble, on 07768 693940
Email to a friend
