Lynne Featherstone

Haringey Council and the local NHS are failing to provide a ‘good’ service to local people according to a Government report, released ahead of World Mental Health Day (10th October). The Government’s Healthcare Commission, which inspects health and care services, gave Haringey only 2 stars out of a possible 4. Just 54% of mental health services got 3 or 4 stars, putting Haringey in the bottom half of the ‘league table’ for supporting people with mental health problems.

The Liberal Democrats are marking World Mental Health Day by calling for Haringey Council and the local NHS to put greater priority on improving mental health services in Haringey.

Lib Dem Health and Social Services Spokesman Cllr Richard Wilson comments:

“One in four people suffer a mental health problem during their lifetime, yet mental health services still do not get the priority and resources they need. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to put this right and demand better support for people in Haringey.

“The first national review of mental health services by the Healthcare Commission gave Haringey Council and the local NHS just 2 stars. It is clear local people are not getting the help they need. And with the Mental Health Trust planning to close a rehabilitation ward in St Anne’s Hospital, it does not look like services are about to improve.”

Cllr Ron Aitken, who recently spoke at a fringe meeting at the Liberal Democrat Conference on the subject of recovery from mental health problems comments:

“World Mental Health Day is not just about services but also about celebrating the many people who recover from depression and other mental illnesses and are able to fully participate in society”.