CONDITIONS IN MENTAL HEALTH WARDS A SCANDAL - LAMB

11.01.45am GMT Mon 18th Feb 2008

Commenting on statistics released today by the Healthcare Commission showing that more than half of nurses on mental health wards report being physically assaulted at work, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb said:

"Conditions in mental health wards are an ongoing scandal for both staff and patients.

"Mental healthcare is still a Cinderella service. Violence and intimidation would simply not be tolerated to this degree in other part of the NHS.

"It is clear that NHS staff are not being provided with the protection that is vital for them to do their jobs. Equally, patients are not being treated in the right conditions to keep their disorder under control.

"Last week the Liberal Democrats called for mental healthcare to be a core health service priority and not a neglected afterthought. Patients should have an individual entitlement to safe and dignified treatment in mental health hospitals and other facilities. As part of this we are committed to treating patients in wards which are safe and secure."

Notes

Last week, the Liberal Democrats announced plans to:

· Give all people dealing with mental health problems a guarantee of treatment within a maximum time of 13 weeks. Where the NHS fails to meet those waiting times, the individual patient would have the option of seeking treatment from the private sector.

· Give patients an individual entitlement to safe and dignified treatment in mental health hospitals and other facilities. As part of this we are committed to abolishing mixed sex wards, with mental health facilities being a top priority.

· Roll out the use of direct payments and individual budgets for people with mental health problems. One way in which this could work would be for them to refuse to go on a waiting list for a hard to find NHS counsellor, but could instead receive a cash equivalent to see an independent practitioner.

· Pilot a network of independent Patient Advocates dedicated to providing information, guidance and support to mental health patients and carers in navigating the health and social care systems and in providing support in how best to use direct payments and individual budgets.