Liberal Democrat investment will help transform mental health services in Medway

The Liberal Democrats will invest £11 billion in transforming mental health services, more than either Labour or the Tories.

in early 2018, Medway Liberal Democrats launched a campaign highlighting the lack of local mental Health service, particularly the issue of referring patients out of area, as a consequence of closing the Mental Health Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital in 2013.

The signatories of our petition agree with us and many have spoken to us saying that action is needed to address this and other issues affecting Mental Health provision in Medway. The petition sends a strong message calling on the Department of Health to reinstate a fit for purpose Mental Health Unit in Medway.

The absence of such a Unit impacts heavily on our police force in that they, at a conservative estimate, spend a third of their time dealing with mental health cases. The provision of a fit-for-purpose Mental Health Unit would free up police time to enable them to deal more efficiently and effectively with these cases.

For too long too many people have suffered as a result of the outdated Mental Health Act 1983. A Liberal Democrat government will reform the Mental Health Act in line with all the recommendations of the Wessely review. This includes introducing the principle of 'care not containment', to reduce the number of people inappropriately detained under the Mental Health Act. Reforms will also tackle the disproportionate number of people from black and minority ethnic groups detained under this law.

Alan Bullion, Liberal Democrat Candidate for Rainham and Gillingham said "Too many people are struggling with their mental health and are not receiving the support they need.In common with our petition we have had people come forward to tell us that out of area referrals cost more and impacts on the quality of patient treatment, in that distance in many instances isolates patients from their family members who then find it difficult to travel to visit them. For many, that family support is essential in the aid to recovery. All over the country out of area treatment for Mental Health is now being regarded as standard practice and the Liberal Democrats strongly believe this is not in the best interests of patients and does not provide good quality of care.

We have petitioned the people with the power to reinstate the unit in Medway. Medway Council does not have power to act on this issue, however we have asked questions and they responded stating that Medway Councillors opposed the closure.

The Conservatives have failed to bring forward changes that would see mental health approached with the same urgency as physical health. Their manifesto at this election only mentions mental health three times. It is clear that - under a Conservative government - mental health will not be a priority.

The Liberal Democrats are the party of mental health. We have the most detailed plan to improve mental health services and we will commit £11 billion over five years to make these changes. This is at the heart of our plan to build a brighter future for all."

ENDS