Catastrophic failings’ in schizophrenia care

by admin | 14th November 2012

Catastrophic failings’ in schizophrenia care

By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News

Care for people with schizophrenia in England is falling “catastrophically short” and requires a major overhaul, an independent inquiry has concluded.

The Schizophrenia Commission, set up by a charity a year ago, said patients spent too long in “demoralised and dysfunctional” hospital wards.

It says the condition costs society almost £12bn a year and money would be better spent on preventing illness.

The government says mental health is one of its high priorities.

A spokesman said: “We are clear that people with mental health problems should be treated with the same high quality and dignified care as anyone else and we expect the NHS to make this happen.”

The commission, which was established by Rethink Mental Illness, says too much is spent on secure care – 19% of the mental health budget in England last year – with many people staying too long in expensive units.

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Page last updated: November 14th, 2012 at 6:13 am