Posted 17 May 2017 - 16:10
Posted 17 May 2017 - 16:10
News
Mental health promises in Liberal Democrats manifesto
The Liberal Democrats party has pledged that it will introduce measures to improve mental healthcare in its general election manifesto.
The Liberal Democrats party has pledged that it will introduce measures to improve mental healthcare in its general election manifesto unveiled today
The commitment to mental health includes promises to ring fence increased funding from a 1p income tax rise, better crisis care in A&E and increased access to talking therapies.
Picture: John Houlihan
The manifesto follows a pledge from Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron on Monday, who told nurses at the RCN congress that he would appoint a dedicated mental health minister should his party come to power on 8 June.
'Treating nurses like dirt'
Mr Farron also said he would guarantee the right to remain for all NHS and social care staff who are EU nationals following Brexit, reinstate nursing student bursaries and end the public sector pay freeze.
‘Members of the nursing profession are accessing food banks and we have a prime minister who somehow thinks this is not an issue,’ said Mr Farron in his speech on Monday.
‘This government is treating nurses like dirt.’
Focused manifesto
During Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn's speech to nurses at RCN congress earlier in the day, he also pledged to reinstate the nursing student bursary, bring in safe staffing legislation and scrap the pay cap. The party's manifesto was released yesterday.
Today, British Medical Association chair Mark Porter said there was ‘a good focus’ on improving mental health services in the Liberal Democrats manifesto.
‘Doctors have repeatedly raised concerns about the state of mental health services and the need to improve the outcomes for their patients suffering with mental health problems,' he said.
The Conservative party has yet to release its manifesto.