Centre for Mental Health today welcomed the publication by NHS England of Implementing the Mental Health Five Year Forward View.
Chief executive Sean Duggan said: “The ‘roadmap’ published today sets out a clear and detailed plan for implementing key elements of the Mental Health Five Year Forward View in the NHS. It sets out what funds will be available and when, with clear expectations of what will be delivered at each stage of the process.
“We are delighted that the plan includes the expansion of liaison and diversion and of suicide prevention measures. It is also encouraging to see the doubling of Individual Placement and Support employment services, better maternal mental health care and improved access to psychological therapies for people with long-term conditions. It is essential these services are fully funded, so that they are implemented faithfully, according to the evidence, and with properly trained staff.
It is now essential that we collect regular, routine data about NHS spending on mental health support to hold the system to account for investing in effective services
“We are pleased to see a commitment in the plan to supporting local implementation. Research by Centre for Mental Health showed that this is vital to help local areas to bring about change. We also welcome the call for Transformation Plans for children and young people’s mental health to be refreshed by October 2016. It is now essential that we collect regular, routine data about NHS spending on mental health support to hold the system to account for investing in effective services and using the money pledged today as intended.
This can only be achieved through cross-government commitment to changing the life chances of people with mental health problems
“The ambitions of the Five Year Forward View cannot be delivered by the NHS alone. We also need investment in public health and social care, in evidence-based parenting programmes and in supporting schools to protect and promote emotional wellbeing. This can only be achieved through cross-government commitment to changing the life chances of people with mental health problems. We hope this will be a major priority for the new Government in creating a fairer and healthier society for all.”
Read Implementing the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health
See our recommendations for implementation of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health
Our economic analysis and recommended priorities for the mental health taskforce are here.
