Mental health services suffer from budget cuts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 29th Sep 2006

Commenting on today's Healthcare Commission report on mental health services, Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Sandra Gidley MP said:

"One in four people will suffer mental health problems, yet mental health trusts are facing some of the largest cuts in planned budgets whilst already having to cope with worryingly high recruitment shortages.

"People with mental health problems are being denied access to the treatment they need to lead a full and independent life due to long waiting times and an acute shortage of non-drug therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy.

"The Government talks about providing more care in the community, but this must involve providing people with the appropriate therapies and support and not simply be used as an excuse to free up hospital beds."