Royal Colleges join forces to call for more action on mental health, making a commitment to what the two Colleges themselves will do
In a new joint statement published today, the two Colleges set out how they will work together to improve the physical health of patients with mental health problems, including calling for rebalanced of NHS resources to support better care in the community for people with mental health problems.
There is strong evidence that people with serious mental health problems are more likely to suffer from physical health problems, including diabetes, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease.
In addition, people with serious mental health problems die on average 15-20 years earlier than the rest of the population, with over 33,000 dying prematurely every year
The RCGP and RCPsych are united in their determination that patients should benefit from:
More time to discuss, plan and manage their long-term care in consultation with GPs, psychiatrists and other health professionals in the community.
Services which are better coordinated with one another, and around patients’ lives, with health professionals from different disciplines – including GPs and psychiatrists – given the time and resources to develop more effective ways of working together.
Better continuity of care, with patients able to see members of the same team if they wish.
More care delivered closer to home outside hospitals, and expanded outreach services to those who need it.
There is strong evidence that people with serious mental health problems are more likely to suffer from physical health problems, including diabetes, coronary heart disease and respiratory disease.
In addition, people with serious mental health problems die on average 15-20 years earlier than the rest of the population, with over 33,000 dying prematurely every year
The RCGP and RCPsych are united in their determination that patients should benefit from:
More time to discuss, plan and manage their long-term care in consultation with GPs, psychiatrists and other health professionals in the community.
Services which are better coordinated with one another, and around patients’ lives, with health professionals from different disciplines – including GPs and psychiatrists – given the time and resources to develop more effective ways of working together.
Better continuity of care, with patients able to see members of the same team if they wish.
More care delivered closer to home outside hospitals, and expanded outreach services to those who need it.
