A vision for mental health, learning disabilities and autism services in 2032
Amy Pollard and Andy Bell
Mental health, autism and learning disability services need to change. For too long, these vital services have not received the attention they need and deserve, leading to long waits, gaps in support, and poorer outcomes for the people they serve.
Centre for Mental Health was commissioned by the NHS Confederation’s Mental Health Network to identify a vision for mental health, autism and learning disability services in ten years’ time, for people of all ages in England. We did this through research and consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, reading and hearing about people’s hopes and beliefs about what these vital services should be like in 2032.
This report sets out the results of that work, bringing together the ideas and priorities we gathered under ten themes:
1. Prevention
2. Early intervention
3. Access to quality, compassionate care
4. Seeing the bigger picture
5. Whole person care
6. Equality focus
7. Co-production
8. Autonomy, human rights and community support
9. A stronger workforce
10. Outcomes that matter
This vision is not just wishful thinking; the report includes case studies demonstrating that every element of the vision is already a reality somewhere in England. However, the vision we set out will only be achievable on a large scale if there is investment in services and the people who work in them, and a willingness to embrace radical change over the next ten years.
