Lynne's Parliament and Haringey diary

Today's surgery was full of really difficult people. "Care in the community" often just means that the care isn't adequate and people can’t cope in the community.

Often what is considered anti-social behaviour is then ASBO’d, which is then broken, which then means a custodial sentence when really this is just a vulnerable person with mental health challenges - not someone who the police or prison is left to deal with.

I am extremely worried about the restructuring of Haringey's mental health services which are being launched on Monday - because I bet you my bottom dollar it will be all about getting them out of residential care back into the community. And it will be sold as better for the individual - but it won't be. It will just mean that they can downsize the residential care, save money, and parcel of the land round St Ann's for development. You watch!