Legal News

New figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that, out of 170 of 209 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) which responded to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, a total of 23% said they had applied a two-week target for mental health patients aged 14 to 35 years to receive treatment for psychosis symptoms.

However, more than three-quarters of the CCGs which responded revealed they had no plans to extend the treatment target to people aged 35 to 65 years.

The treatment target applies to patients with suspected psychosis and is known as early intervention in psychosis (EIP) therapy, which involves a multi-agency approach to treating psychosis symptoms as early as possible in young adults, according to guidelines set by NICE.

LibDem health spokesman Norman Lamb said:

“It shows that, across the country, people are not getting the evidence-based treatment set out in the programme.”

Writing in an NHS blog following a conference in Leeds on 4 August, Medical Director for NHS England in the North, Dr Mike Prentice, said that the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health “presented a new and important focus for the NHS – and a real opportunity for mental health services, and those using services, to move the mental health agenda on”.

The event Leeds was intended to “kick-start the development of the north’s response to the Mental Health Taskforce Report”.

Dr Prentice said that, in the north of England, clinical networks, CCGs and providers would work closely together “to deliver the priorities this year”.

“We have established a Mental Health and Dementia Programme Board focused on the delivery of the mental health standards – and are scoping the need for a mental health group for Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) to look at the wider mental health strategy and critical themes, such as workforce,” said Dr Prentice.

Norman Lamb as LibDem health spokesman has continually championed improved NHS mental health care and early intervention, after experiencing difficulties in obtaining treatment for a family member.
Commenting on the latest figures on access to EIP therapy for young adults, an NHS England spokesman said:
“There will be extra funding for 10% more people to be treated in two weeks from 2017 to 2018 – building to £70 million a year by 2020 to 2021.
“The evidence stacks up that these services help people recover – and gain a good quality of life.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

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

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0333 772 0409.