Report commissioned by NHS Confederation says mental health spend must double

A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Health Foundation, Securing the Future: funding health and social care to the 2030s, has highlighted that if 70% of people with mental health issues were to receive treatment on the NHS, funding in that area would have to double to £32 billion a year by 2033-34, which would be about 12% of the health budget.
The report also suggests that to simply keep today’s levels of healthcare provision, there would need to be a spending increase of around 3.3% per year for the next 15 years. Anything beyond the service offering today would require an increase of at least 4% per year.
Sean Duggan, chief executive of the Mental Health Network, which is part of the NHS Confederation said: “It is well publicised we are seeing a rise in the number of people needing treatment for mental health issues and it was a welcome step for the government to state its intention to put mental health on equal standing with physical health, but if we are to really take mental health seriously and not fail thousands of people in need of help then one thing is crystal clear – investment must be found. All services, including mental health services, must continue to strive to be as efficient as they can be – but this is about protecting our health and ensuring people experiencing mental health problems are not left without proper treatment and support.”