A new scheme that could improve the care and treatment of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and psychosis, was announced today by Health Minister, Norman Lamb.
An estimated 1.8 million people are affected with severe mental illness and these pioneering schemes will address new ways of treating patients including reducing medication, where appropriate.
Six NHS pilot sites, already leaders in the mental health field and supported by an additional £1.2 million, have begun work demonstrating the benefits of National Institute of Clinical Excellence recommended psychological therapies in the treatment of people with a severe mental illness or personality disorder.
Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb said:
“For too long people with the most severe mental illnesses and personality disorders have suffered from poor care, or have been over prescribed anti-psychotic medications. We are prioritising mental health like never before, making sure that it sits on par with physical health.
“We want to see massive improvements in treatment for people with severe mental illnesses, including better access to psychological therapies. I am looking forward to seeing the results of our pilots and an improvement in care for those most in need.”
The funding will be used to help these trusts share information with other health organisations, about how they deliver the best treatments that lead to improved patient choice and recovery. The results will be published next year.
Work will include:
- Demonstrating how people with severe mental illness and personality disorder can get better access to psychological therapies;
- Sharing good practice to other services and sharing how improvements in services can be made;
- Providing good quality data on how services can be improved for patients and identifying the clinical, non-clinical and economic benefits.