£150 million of investment, as part of a draft Mental Health Bill, has been planned by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The investment over the next three years hopes to better support people in crisis outside of A&E and further support patient safety in mental health units. The funding also includes £7 million for specialised mental health ambulances for patients experiencing a mental health crisis.
Some of the measures in the draft Mental Health Bill include an aim to tackle racial disparities in mental health services, better meet the needs of people with a learning disability and people with autism, and ensure appropriate care for people with serious mental illness within the criminal justice system.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “This is a significant moment in supporting people with serious mental health issues.
“We’re investing more money to ensure NHS patients have tailored services and support, so people in a mental health emergency get the right care at the right time.
“Our reforms to the outdated Mental Health Act are another important milestone in better supporting those with serious mental health issues and giving people greater control over their treatment, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are disproportionately detained under the Act.”
Funding will also support local communities to invest in alternatives to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis, such as ‘crisis houses’ run by the voluntary sector which will ensure people can access the treatment they need within their community.
