NHS Confederation - Greater awareness of mental health brings extra pressure on services

10 Oct 2017 10:04 AM

Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, which is part of the NHS Confederation, responded to Age UK’s latest mental health research

“There has been huge progress in the way common mental health problems are talked about and recognised and we welcome the work Age UK and NHS England are doing to encourage older people to seek help.

“However with greater awareness of mental health comes extra pressure on services that are already stretched.

“The recent report ‘The future of the mental health workforce’  stated a third of GP consultations involve mental health but fewer than half of GPs have mental health training placements.

“The Government has pledged to put mental health on a par with physical health but this needs to be reflected in investment and the continued progress of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.

"Getting mental health services right will relieve pressure on other parts of the health system and we would urge the government to deliver on its promises and ensure mental health gets the equal status it deserves.”

‘Mental health in older people