Posted 24 April 2018 - 00:01
Posted 24 April 2018 - 00:01
News
RCN consults on how to achieve parity of esteem for mental healthcare
College members working in mental health asked to complete a survey to shape RCN’s campaign
College members working in mental health asked to complete a survey to shape RCN’s campaign
The RCN launches a consultation today to identify the steps needed to bring equality between physical and mental healthcare.
College members working in mental health settings will be asked to have their say on what needs to change to achieve parity of esteem. The findings will help to shape the RCN’s policy on the issue.
According to the 2016 NHS England Five Year Forward View for Mental Health report, people with severe mental health problems die an average of 15-20 years earlier than the general population.
Insufficient action
While all the UK governments have committed to closing the physical and mental health divide, RCN members have been frustrated by the lack of progress.
This sentiment culminated at last year’s RCN congress with members voting to condemn the governments' insufficient action in this area.
RCN parity of esteem programme lead Tim Coupland said all mental health professionals agree change is needed.
‘A commitment to bring about equality between mental and physical health is absolutely the right thing,’ he said.
‘But the NHS still hasn’t got to the point where people with mental health problems get the same access to care, and the same standards of care, as people trying to get treatment for a physical health problem.'
Shaping solutions
Mr Coupland said nurses working in mental health settings possessed crucial knowledge that could help shape a solution to the problem and urged all nurses contacted to participate.
‘The answers we get to all these questions will help shape our work on the parity of esteem agenda in the next few years and will play a vital part in the college’s campaigning,’ he said.
Questions in the consultation
- How successful do you think your local NHS service has been in delivering mental health equality?
- What do you think are the three most important things that will make a difference to mental health equality (achieving parity) in your NHS organisation?
- What do you think are the three most important things that will make a difference to mental health equality (achieving parity) in the UK?
- How equipped are your services to support the physical health needs of those with mental health problems?
- What would help you meet the physical health needs of those receiving support from a mental health service?
- What would better help you meet the social care needs of patients you work with?
The full survey will be emailed to all RCN members working in mental health settings and will run until 16 May.
Further Information
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