Legal News

The Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals and CQC lead for Mental Health, Dr Paul Lelliott, has said that helping people “lead full and active lives” is a goal that must be shared by those who provide care to schizophrenia patients.

Dr Lelliott was commenting on this year’s World Mental Health Day – which took place on Friday (10/10/14).

The World Health Organization has nominated 10 October to be the date for World Mental Health Day every year – and a different mental health condition is highlighted each year.

This year the topic “Living with Schizophrenia” was chosen and Dr Lelliott said that patients living with schizophrenia should expect the same quality of care as patients with a physical health condition which requires long-term care.

“Schizophrenia affects the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in England – both those who experience the problem and their families and close friends, Dr Lelliott said

“Like some long-term physical health conditions, not everybody’s experience of schizophrenia is the same: some people require only occasional contact with health services – a few suffer long-term impairment and need continuous treatment and care.

“However severe the problem, the great majority of people with schizophrenia are able to lead full and active lives – and this goal must be shared by those who provide care.

People with schizophrenia should expect the same quality of care as those who have a long-term physical health problem.
“The services that provide that care should be available when and where they are needed – including out of hours in the event of an emergency.

“The care should be personalised to reflect the fact that every person with schizophrenia has different needs – and when people need a combination of mental health, physical health and social care, this should be available as a seamless package.

“Other than in exceptional circumstances, it is the person with schizophrenia who should decide what help they need,” Dr Lelliott said.

It is thought that as many as 26 million people live with schizophrenia worldwide – and the experience is different for each patient and their family. It is estimated that more than 50% of those with schizophrenia are unable to access treatment.

This year, World Mental Health Day coincided with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s announcement that from next April, national waiting times for mental health services would be introduced. The changes place mental health services on a par with national waiting times for physical health services.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise patients on issues such as access to mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit hospitals, police stations and prisons to advise on mental health law – and are available at short notice for appointments nationwide.

For expert legal advice on mental health services in the UK, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.