There is a clear link between mental and
physical health and an urgent need to strengthen both the provision
of mental health care to people with physical illness and the
quality of physical health care provided to people with mental
health problems in general hospitals and primary care.
The ‘No Health without Mental Health’ Project
argues that improvement within the general hospital can be brought
about at relatively little additional cost by being ALERT
to five priority areas:
Awareness of the link between
physical and mental health needs to be heightened.
Liaison Psychiatry Services
are required in all general hospitals
Engaging Patients &
Carers is essential in improving services
Re-organisation,
Commissioning & Quality Standards – Liaison mental health
services should be commissioned and reviewed against
agreed specific service standards - the Psychiatric Liaison Accreditation Network
(PLAN) will take this forward
Training & Education needs to be improved for all
healthcare professionals
Be ALERT! Did you
know...
- A quarter of all patients in general
hospitals have mental health problems
- 60% of people over the age of 65 who are
admitted to hospital have or will develop a mental disorder during
their admission
- Liaison psychiatry interventions can improve
patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs yet many
hospitals do not have access to these services
- On average, people with mental illness die
five to ten years younger than the general population
- 8 out of 10 primary care professionals want
more training in mental health issues
This project forms part of the College's Fair Deal campaign