This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Mental Health report published
21/03/2003
The third annual report of the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group has been published.
The Group, established to support and advance the development of mental health services in Scotland, offers advice locally and to the Scottish Executive on solutions and best practice for implementing change and improvement in mental health services. Its annual report records local progress on the design and delivery of services.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"The work of the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group and its report adds an important element to the provision of effective mental health services in Scotland. I set out in the White Paper, Partnership for Care, a further opportunity to advance quality and improved access for mental health services through the proposals announced for Joint Working, Workforce Development and the move towards improved community based services through Primary Care Modernisation for mental health services.
"Furthermore, Partnership for Care outlines a vision for the public to be consulted and involved in the planning and organisation of services. With that in mind I am particularly encouraged by what the Support Group says in relation to the matter of participation and the improvements being made across the country which the report highlights.
"The Group has seen progress in a number of areas and with a number of services which is welcome, but I accept also their finding that more needs to be done across Scotland to improve the mental health services we offer.
This area continues to be an ongoing priority for the Executive's Health Department.
"I welcome the attention paid to the issues of quality and access. I note and support the call for more concerted action by those involved in the planning and delivery of mental health services to make better and more efficient use of the record spend on these to deliver real change and improvement that will be felt by the users of services and their carers."
Mental Health is a clinical priority for the Executive. The Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Bill, which will reshape mental health law in Scotland for the 21st century, was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 20 March. Proposals on a forward direction for mental health which would link Primary Care Modernisation, the Joint Future agenda, Workforce Development and the Support Group are currently being finalised.
The work of the National Programme to Improve the Mental Health and Well Being in Scotland includes the suicide prevention strategy, the mental health anti-stigma campaign see me and the public attitude survey.
The Support Group has been involved in ongoing visits to areas throughout Scotland, during which it meets local care providers, services users and carers to assess progress in meeting the Framework's agenda for change.
Spending for 2002-03 on mental health services is forecast at towards £627m. Spending for the next financial year (2003-4) is expected to follow the year on year increase - there have been year on year increases for the last five years. The Mental Illness Specific Grant was increased at the end of 2002 to £20m. This funding supports 400 projects throughout Scotland. The funding of the National Programme to Improve Mental Health and Well-being in Scotland has been increased by £20m for the next three years.
Further information on the Support Group, publications and related initiatives can be found on their web site at http://www.show.scot.nhs.uk/mhwbsg/.
The Support Group's focus, remit and membership will be adjusted in 2003 to better reflect the agenda outlined in Partnership for Care.