£2m to be pumped into mental health services

2:05pm Sunday 16th September 2007

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MORE than £2 million is to be pumped into improving services for people with mental health problems in Bolton.

Health chiefs and council bosses are working together to drive down waiting times for patients waiting for psychological treatment.

Currently patients needing psychological therapy can wait up to three months to be treated, but under the new plans, health chiefs have vowed to reduce the waiting time to just six weeks.

Bolton Council and Primary Care Trust have drawn up an action plan, which highlights how services for adults over the age of 16 will be improved over the next five years.

The plan has been developed following extensive consultation with both staff and patients themselves, and extra cash will be invested into services - £1.1 million between now and April 2008 and a further £1.2 million between April 2008 and March 2009.

Bolton already spends £25 million a year on its mental health services.

Cllr Rosa Kay, the council's executive member for adult social care and health, said: "We welcome this joint commissioning strategy which clearly and simply prioritises our actions over the next five years based on the needs and desires of people in Bolton.

"It further reflects the strength of partnership that exists within the Bolton family and we are determined that improving the mental health and well-being of people in Bolton is everyone's business. The contribution from people who use services, their carers and those who support them has made this a strategy that will improve lives."

The action plan has been divided into ten priorities, including: Delivering services on the basis of need not age.

Provide an increased choice of treatment, which is easy to access.

Improve access to psychological therapies.

Ensure a seamless flow of care.

All care delivered close to home.

Supporting the workforce to enable them to better listen and respond to patients and carers.

Improve the environment for community and hospital facilities.

Promote positive mental well-being and reduce stigma.

Make the best use of resources.

Actively involve patients and carers in how the service is developed.

The priorities for the next six months include reducing the waiting times for psychological therapies, strengthening the home treatment team so more people are cared for in their own homes, making sure people who have been discharged from hospital receive follow-up care and improve social inclusion by working with the voluntary sector.

Tim Evans, chief executive of Bolton PCT, said: "This strategy demonstrates our commitment to investing significantly in mental health services, and is yet another instance of exemplary joint working between the PCT and Bolton Council.

"We also appreciate the extensive input from service users and carers which has helped us develop a strategy that is responsive to their needs."