Mental Health Trusts robbed

Published 20 July 2006

A recent survey by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has shown that money is being siphoned from mental health services to pay for other NHS deficits.

The survey found that many Mental Health Trusts are facing further budget restrictions despite meeting already tight targets.

83% of respondents said that the reductions were being sought to deal with the wider heath economy, particularly Primary Care Trusts deficits.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society said,

'Services are already under funded. It is ridiculous that already stretched budgets are being met with more cuts.
Punishing good management by further depriving mental health services of much needed funds is unacceptable.
The government needs to build an NHS capable of meeting the needs of an ageing population. This means increasing its commitment to mental health services not taking funding from this vulnerable and already fragile sector.
Measures need to be put in place to ensure that Mental Health Trusts are not victimised by further cutbacks. We need actions not more promises that, so far, remain unfulfilled.'

For further information, contact Hannah Clack, Alzheimer's Society press office.