Mental health services “broken and heading for crisis”

Delegates at UNISON’s health conference took part in a wide-ranging debate on what is regarded as the under-funded and overworked “Cinderella” service of the NHS. Conference heard of the continued pressure that funding cuts have created for staff working in mental health across the UK, with spiralling workloads, lack of support from management and the effects on their own mental health. As a result, 45% of respondents to a UNISON survey have said they are thinking of leaving their jobs. Sam Hemraj of the health service group executive said that mental health care was a “critical service” for UK citizens that deserved better than the understaffing that funding forced upon it. Her own son has personality disorder and has waited 18 months for treatment, she told delegates. “My son’s life is on hold. He is in desperate need to start treatment. “It’s not just my son who’s waiting, but many other service users, which is putting strain on families and carers and frustrated staff.” She said that “it’s the system that’s failed, not staff,” blaming the government for “lack of funding, lack of care, lack of understanding of users and staff.” Roger Davey of Wiltshire and Avon said that there had been a cut in mental health beds of 30% since 2010, with an 8% cut in budgets. “Tory policies are toxic to mental health and wellbeing,” he said. “Tory policies make people ill – then they take away the means to treat them. And that has a detrimental impa...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Article News health conference 2019 Source Type: news