Economic Downturn:
what does the recession mean for mental health services?
When the UK economy officially entered a recession in January
2009, it was recognised that demand for mental health services
would probably increase (as a result of unemployment, personal
debt, home reposession, and other forms of 'economic
fallout'). However, this period also coincided with the start
of a period of funding cuts and disinvestment across the NHS, which
was posed significant challenges for those commissioning,
providing, and using services.
The RCPsych response
This situation resulted in two
pieces of work:
Firstly, in 2009, the Royal College of
Psychiatrists, the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network, and
the London School of Economics and Political Science produced a
report on the recession and its:
- implications for mental
health services over the short, medium and
long-term;
- how disinvestment can
be mitigated and managed accross mental health services in a
context where demand for care will probably
increase;
- identify priorities for
mental health service provision which need to be defended and
retained;
- outline strategies for
achieving prediced efficieny savings without hitting vulnerable
patients and their needs.
Secondly, in 2010, in collaboration with the Kings Fund,
the Centre for Mental Health, and the NHS Confederation, a report
was released on Mental Health and the Productivity
Challenge, which examined how mental health services could be
delivered in a more cost-effective manner in an economically
difficult period.
This report can be downloaded here via
the Kings Fund website.
Thirdly, in 2011, the
College is currently working with other leading organisations with
an interest in mental health on how the current and future
commissioning of services for mental health and wellbeing can be
achieved with optimum health and efficiency outcomes.
An announcement will be made later in 2011 about this work, but
further details on the College's response to the English Health and
Social Care Bill can be found here.