A BOLTON MP is campaigning for an immediate change to mental health services funding to stop people slipping the net - sometimes with tragic consequences.
Peter Thurnham, Liberal Democrat MP for Bolton North-east, is pushing for a change in the law which says that the Health Authority and Social Services cannot pool their financial resources on the behalf of patients.
Joint funding is one option being considered in a Government Green Paper on the Mental Health Service but Mr Thurnham is anxious to by-pass the lengthy procedures involved.
He said: "At present there will be cases which fall between two stools, where the Health Authority and Social Services will argue over who should be providing the funding.
"As a result, people can slip through the system.
"I have spoken to many people involved and they all agree that joint commission should be given the go ahead."
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