The lack of free beds is a top priority for mental health and additional long-term funding is required to improve local services to stop patients being sent long distances to receive the treatment they need. Whether an inpatient or outpatient, a safe and supportive environment where individuals can receive appropriate and expert support that they need is necessary for better outcomes of those suffering with mental health issues.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has recently announced that thousands more mental health workers are to be recruited by the NHS in England. An extra £1bn has already been promised by the government for mental health services in England to fund the scheme, which is part of a pot of £1.3bn committed in 2016 to transform provision. (BBC News, 4th August 2017).
This is an excellent and positive step towards achieving better resources and treatment available to those suffering with mental health issues. However, there is a lot more work to do to transform the mental health services to ensure the best possible care at the right time and more importantly, in the most appropriate location for those who need it.