Mental health services agency to be launched

A new agency will launch on April 1st to ensure mental health services around the UK continue to improve, it has been announced.

The National Mental Health Development Unit takes into consideration Lord Darzi’s NHS Next Stage Review which called for more personalised services.

Support that will be provided for key projects in this area includes improving access to talking therapies, promoting social inclusion for individuals with problems and supporting effective mental health commissioning.

Phil Hope is the care services minister and he publicised the new agency this week.

He commented: “We must actively promote public mental health and well-being, as well as spreading best practice and maintaining world-class mental health services everywhere.”

The National Mental Health Development Unit will help achieve these goals, Mr Hope further noted.

Dr Ian McPherson, director of the National Mental Health Development Unit, asserted he feels privileged to lead the project and he declared his determination to raise the profile of these types of illnesses across the country.

In other news, the first ever People’s Award for Dignity in care 2009 has been launched.