The Royal College of Psychiatrists has welcomed the news that
the House of Lords has voted by 244 to 240 in favour of an
amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill to place an explicit
duty on the Secretary of State to promote parity of esteem
between mental and physical health services.
Professor Sue Bailey, President of the Royal College of
Psychiatrists, said: "We were delighted this amendment was passed,
as we have long campaigned for mental health to be on an equal
footing with physical health. However, the College still has major
concerns about many aspects of the Bill and believes it will remain
fundamentally flawed unless it undergoes further significant
revision."
In a statement on 1 February, the
College stated that it wants the Bill to ensure:
- parity of esteem between mental health and physical
health;
- a reduction rather than an increase in health
inequalities;
- that integrated care is safeguarded over competition;
- that competition is only used in the NHS where it can be shown
to clearly benefit patients;
- continuation of a system of effective postgraduate medical
education and training;
- meaningful involvement of service users and carers in needs
assessment and commissioning processes; and
- flexibility for clinicians to undertake work for the benefit of
the wider NHS.
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127