Government letting down people with mental health problems

6.12.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 23rd Mar 2007

Sandra Gidley MP

Commenting on the Healthcare Commission's Count Me In census showing black people are more likely to be admitted to mental health and learning disability services, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"The Government is letting people with mental health problems down, by failing to prioritise the importance of specialised treatment for different mental health problems. The Mental Health Bill currently going through Parliament is threatening to limit people's freedoms, without giving them the treatment they need. Ethnic minority patients are particularly at risk. This will have a devastating impact when coupled with the deficits around the country, which are eating into funds for mental health care.

"Mental health patients often experience prejudice and we must make sure that ethnic minority patients do not suffer double discrimination.A clear statement, enshrining the concept of equality of treatment for all, must be included in the mental health bill."