The Banford Review of Mental Health
THE BAMFORD REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH
The Bamford Review of Mental Health is a draft report which sets out it's vision of the services and supports that are needed for older people with mental health difficulties and/or dementia in Northern Ireland for the next 15 - 20 years. It has been endorsed by a steering committee which has taken into account over two years work by the Dementia and Mental Issues of Older People Expert Working Group Working Committee convened by Praxis Care Group.
The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland Paul Goggins, has indicated that the Bamford Review of Mental Health would be a catalyst for change.
In my mind the mental health service in Northern Ireland has been starved of funds for years and all during this period Trusts have worked valiantly to do the very best they could while, to put it simply being short changed.
It is a fact that people in Northern Ireland with mental health difficulties have the lowest employment rate of all disabled people. Also more than a third of Incapacity Benefit claimants have a mental or behavioural disorder. There is a prevalence of mental health problems which is 24% among women and 17% among men; this is 20% higher than the rates for England and Scotland.
The Bamford Review of Mental Health must be welcomed, as it will carry out an independent review of law, policy and service provision. It will make recommendations regarding the future policy, strategy, service priorities and legislation, to reflect the needs of users and carers. For example, the need for collaborative working among all relevant stakeholders both within and beyond the health and personal social services sector, to name but one issue, must be taken into account.
The Bamford Review, will have a new priority in moving forward, it will be given to promoting positive mental health and making a real and meaningful difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, as well, and this is very important, to their carers and families.
Unfortunately as with any review, action taken will not happen next week or next month and the earliest possible date and specific targets for improvement will probably be from 2007-2008. Whatever the date set, the Bamford Review must not be lost in the mists of time, for too long Trusts have struggled with underinvestment within this area of service and to be blunt it has been a disgrace the under funding which has taken place. I would insist that the necessary funding to reform, modernise and deliver along with a meaningful capital investment programme for future services must happen.
The Bamford Review of Mental Health is a draft report which sets out it's vision of the services and supports that are needed for older people with mental health difficulties and/or dementia in Northern Ireland for the next 15 - 20 years. It has been endorsed by a steering committee which has taken into account over two years work by the Dementia and Mental Issues of Older People Expert Working Group Working Committee convened by Praxis Care Group.
The Minister for Health in Northern Ireland Paul Goggins, has indicated that the Bamford Review of Mental Health would be a catalyst for change.
In my mind the mental health service in Northern Ireland has been starved of funds for years and all during this period Trusts have worked valiantly to do the very best they could while, to put it simply being short changed.
It is a fact that people in Northern Ireland with mental health difficulties have the lowest employment rate of all disabled people. Also more than a third of Incapacity Benefit claimants have a mental or behavioural disorder. There is a prevalence of mental health problems which is 24% among women and 17% among men; this is 20% higher than the rates for England and Scotland.
The Bamford Review of Mental Health must be welcomed, as it will carry out an independent review of law, policy and service provision. It will make recommendations regarding the future policy, strategy, service priorities and legislation, to reflect the needs of users and carers. For example, the need for collaborative working among all relevant stakeholders both within and beyond the health and personal social services sector, to name but one issue, must be taken into account.
The Bamford Review, will have a new priority in moving forward, it will be given to promoting positive mental health and making a real and meaningful difference to the lives of people with learning disabilities or mental health needs, as well, and this is very important, to their carers and families.
Unfortunately as with any review, action taken will not happen next week or next month and the earliest possible date and specific targets for improvement will probably be from 2007-2008. Whatever the date set, the Bamford Review must not be lost in the mists of time, for too long Trusts have struggled with underinvestment within this area of service and to be blunt it has been a disgrace the under funding which has taken place. I would insist that the necessary funding to reform, modernise and deliver along with a meaningful capital investment programme for future services must happen.
posted by Marion Smith at 9:05 AM
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