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Paul speaks at New Savoy Partnership Annual Conference
November 29, 2011 5:24 PM
The importance of mental health has been highlighted in a major new NHS report, says Paul Burstow.
Today (Thurs 24) the new NHS Operating Framework set out the Government's aims and health expectations for 2012/13. Commenting on the report, the Liberal Democrat health minister told a conference of delegates that the framework transformed the mental health priorities of the Coalition into commitments.
In a speech to the New Savoy Partnership (a group of organisations promoting psychological therapies), Paul explained how the latest operating framework turned the priorities of a cross-governmental mental health strategy into pledges - including a programme to provide psychological therapies to adults to be rolled-out nationally by 2014/15.
The No Health Without Mental Health strategy was launched by Nick Clegg and Paul Burstow last year. It sought to establish a level playing field between physical and mental health and included £32 million of funding to improve access to psychological therapies for children and young people over the next four years.
In today's speech Paul outlined the economic case for tackling mental health for people of all ages. He said the fact that parity of esteem between physical and mental health is 'not just a nice idea' as it would help save money and improve the life chances and wellbeing of millions.
He also explained that measuring the future success of mental health in the NHS would be determined not by how well treatments are processed, but by the quality of people's recovery and their experience of care.
Paul ended his speech to the New Savoy Partnership by saying he was hopeful that 'we will live up to the aspirations we have to improve mental health services in this country'.
Currently, 10p in every £1 of the NHS' budget or £10 billion is spent on mental health, and yet the wider economic and social costs of mental health come with a price tag nearer to £100 billion. On top of this, the strong links between poor physical and mental health mean early intervention in mental health can result in better outcomes for patients in all aspects of their lives.
Since taking up the post of care minister, Paul Burstow has championed the status of mental health in the health service and continues to work hard to ensure it receives equal billing with physical health in the NHS.
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