This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister comments on schizophrenia review
14/06/2004
Health Minister Malcolm Chisolm has commented on the national schizophrenia services review, published today by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness which can affect 20 in every 100,000 people in Scotland, but many who are diagnosed are supported in the community.
Many with schizophrenia will have combined medical, social and psychological needs and care for all their needs requires all the agencies to work together.
Community based mental health services have expanded in recent years in line with the need for modern mental healthcare which is provided in a range of forms and settings, from hospital care to care in people's own homes.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Mental Health is a key health priority of this Executive and NHS Boards are accountable for their performance in delivering mental health services.
"The Executive's national assessment of services, undertaken to support the implementation of the Mental Health Act, highlighted key areas for improvement and showed where we expect to see action at a local level.
"It is right that there has been a focus on quality and standards of care for Schizophrenia and the report shows there is still much to be done and much to be improved across the country. National standards are a crucial benchmark by which to judge local, regional and national quality of care and planning and I am disappointed that progress in meeting these standards has not been as fast or as extensive as we would have hoped.
"The recommendations made by NHS QIS today are wholly consistent with the approach we have adopted for all mental health services in Scotland. These fit well with the vision set out in Partnership for Care for a patient-centred, joint-working healthcare service which delivers care and information to all involved, patients, carers and staff and where change is
needed we expect to see action across Scotland.
"The report underlines the importance of our wider strategic approaches for mental health which comes down to having the right assessments and the right services at the right time and in the right places. We are committed to ensuring improved adherence to the NHS QIS standards and the local and national reports published today will assist in this process.
"The Review team has rightly acknowledged the commitment, dedication and real efforts staff are making to improve services and I also applaud the efforts as well as the examples of good practice which are highlighted.
"It is imperative those in NHS Boards, local authorites and partner agencies continue to make that difference and achieve the higher quality standards which have been set. NHS Boards must work with their partners to take forward work on a number of fronts, including the development of community based services which offer 'talking treatments' and counselling."
At a national level the Executive is supporting NHS Boards in delivering appropriate care, by taking the initiative on key areas such as:
- the Improving Mental Health Information Programme is aimed at improving data collection and information, access to this and how information can be shared.
- the National Mental Health Workforce Group, working with NHS employers and partners, is currently considering the workforce planning of mental health staff including retention, development and re-training.
- implementing the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2004 which gives a greater role and access for carers and confers a duty on NHS Boards and local authorities to ensure the provision of independent advocacy services.
Established on January 1 2003, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is a Special Health Board. Chaired by Lord Patel, the Board has a broad membership that includes NHS staff and members of the public. http://www.nhshealthquality.org/