NEWS


“It is this Government’s ambition to


tackle the burning injustices that persist in our society, including the inequalities caused by poor mental health and the continued inability of many people to get the treatment they need.” It adds: “The Government is pleased


to be able to accept the Taskforce report in full.


“The Department of Health has


already supported the delivery of this plan with additional investment of £1billion a year by 2020/21 to improve mental health services.” The taskforce’s forward view document set out a programme of reform beyond the NHS, extending across Government departments and Whitehall’s arm’s-length bodies. Among the recommendations for


58 ways to improve mental health


T


he Government has this month published a report setting out its response to the work of the Mental


Health Taskforce by accepting 58


recommendations aimed at improving services across the country. The 29-page


document provides a response to the


points laid out in the


taskforce’s Five Year Forward View for Mental Health, which was published last year and provides an independent and far-reaching overview of what modern mental health services should look like.


The document states: “In the last


few years public awareness of mental health and mental illness has grown significantly. But we still have a lot more to do.


improvements are: • The Government should work with other agencies to build the evidence base for the provision of specialist housing support for those with mental health problems, including exploring the case for using NHS land for supported housing • Up to £15m extra to be invested in


places of safety for those in crisis • For the UK to aspire to be a


world leader in the development and application of new mental health research. • To ensure there is sufficient


investment in the necessary digital infrastructure to realise the priorities identified.


Sound Doctor answers call for better support A


fter recent reports that dementia- related conditions are now the leading cause of death in the UK; a film-based guide has been launched giving an overview of the disease. Produced by The Sound Doctor, in


conjunction with Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, and with support from the Academic Health Science Network; the series of short films enable patients, carers and relatives to understand the condition better and face the day-to-day challenges the disease presents. Chapters in the guide include:


understanding dementia, symptoms of dementia, discovering you have dementia, planning ahead, caring for someone with dementia, and living well with dementia.


www.thesounddoctor.org mhdf magazine 7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17