Commenting upon Wes Streeting's and the Government's stance on health and care policies, an article from Alastair McLellan of the Health Services Journal; highlights a critical issue - the apparent neglect of mental health, a key priority that Labour emphasized during its pre-election manifesto.
Despite committing to ambitious reforms to address the mental health crisis, particularly among children and young people, there are growing concerns that mental health has been sidelined in the government’s agenda.
The article outlines the significant gap between the promises made and the actions taken under the current government, particularly around funding, policy, and focus on mental health. Here are the key points of concern:
1. Lack of Financial Commitment:
- Mental Health Workforce: While Labour promised 8,500 additional mental health staff and more mental health school teams, there has been no allocated funding to make this a reality.
- Crisis Centres vs Surgical Hubs: In the latest budget, £1.5 billion was earmarked for new surgical hubs, while only £26 million was allocated to mental health crisis centres. This disparity highlights the lack of investment in mental health infrastructure, even as the physical health estate continues to face significant challenges.
- Unclear Funding for Promised Services: Mental health services promised in the 2019 NHS plan, like specialist perinatal mental health services, gambling addiction clinics, and crisis lines, are at risk of being underfunded or halted after March 2024. This has left the future of these initiatives uncertain.
2. Missed Opportunities for Reform:
- Mental Health Investment Standard (MHIS): There is silence about whether the MHIS, which helped to ensure some degree of funding for mental health services, will continue under the new government. The absence of any clear commitment to this raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of mental health initiatives.
- Workforce Issues: Despite a growing mental health workforce, there is concern that the sector still faces a significant shortage of experienced professionals. The increased numbers of staff are not necessarily more experienced, potentially compromising the quality of care.
3. Focus on Mental Health Lagging Behind Other Priorities:
- Waiting Times and Capacity: Mental health waiting times remain a persistent issue, with some waiting lists stretching into the next parliamentary term. This is in stark contrast to the government’s focus on reducing waiting times for elective surgeries, which has taken a more prominent place in health policy discussions.
- Alternative Care Options: There is limited attention given to alternatives to A&E for those in mental distress, and little guidance on how mental health trusts should handle increased pressures, such as those caused by the Right Care Right Person policy or recent legal cases like the Valdo Calocane incident.
4. Public Perception and Mental Health as a Priority:
Mental Health Awareness: While public sympathy for mental health issues remains high, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, this sentiment has not translated into adequate governmental response. Mental health was once seen as a priority area for reform, but its relegation in favour of other policy priorities has frustrated both mental health professionals and the public.
- Economic Argument for Mental Health: Mental health interventions are known to be among the most effective ways to improve national productivity, yet the government's inaction here may
undermine long-term societal and economic gains. Given the growing evidence that addressing mental
health improves overall well-being and economic output, the issue warrants more focused attention.
Conclusion:
The article argues that while the government has made progress in other areas, particularly in the digital and community care shifts, mental health has been largely forgotten. Labour’s promise to give mental health equal attention to physical health now appears to have been sidelined, and the sector fears this could worsen the already serious mental health crisis in the UK.
The government’s task is indeed challenging, but prioritising mental health is not only a moral and social imperative but also an economic one. If mental health interventions are as effective in improving productivity as claimed, it makes sense for Labour to put the “fourth shift” — mental health — back at the heart of its health and care policy agenda. Otherwise, the ambitious promises made during the election will ring hollow, and a crucial area of public health will continue to lag behind in terms of funding, policy focus, and service development.
The original HSJ article is behind a paywall, and can be read in full here
Source: HSJ / unionsafety
See also: NHS Privatisation News Archive
