Mental Illness treatment must be on a level with Physical Health.
The Coalition Government will seek to end the second class treatment of mental illness in the NHS by announcing new waiting time targets for those afflicted by common mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
It is proposed that three-quarters of patients needing “talking therapies” for conditions such as depression will be guaranteed treatment in as little as six weeks, with 95% starting treatment after a maximum wait of 18 weeks.
Patients suffering more serious problems such as psychosis will be offered treatment within two weeks of referral – bringing the service into line with targets for cancer referrals. The aim is to ensure the targets are being reached by 2020. The programme will have to be phased, so by 2016 the aim is for at least 50% of people experiencing a first episode of psychosis not to have to wait longer than two weeks.
It is proposed that £120m of extra funding over the next two years will begin with £40m this year and a further £80m in 2015-16.
Just over £30m of the funding will be earmarked for early intervention services for psychosis and crisis care.