Clegg pledge is a landmark for mental health

by danielbarker on 15 October, 2014

The Bimingham-based chair of the new Lib Dem Mental Health
Association hailed Nick Clegg’s pledge to make care equality a
‘front page’ election issue as a landmark .

Lee Dargue (PPC Edgbaston) said: “Nick Clegg put a top
priority on an issue that has been waiting a long time to get attention – Mental Health.
“Parity of treatment priority for patients with mental or physical health needs has already been put into law by LibDem Health Minister Norman Lamb.
“I also welcome progress by Lib Dem ministers to reduce the use of prison cells to house people with mental illness in crisis care, overhauling children’s services and adult
care.
“Nick Clegg went even further in his announcement to set waiting times for mental health treatment as well as physical health; something ignored completely when targets were bought in under the last government.
“With the £400 million already committed to talking therapies, the Lib Dems will use half of the £1billion of extra NHS funding we want to see in the Autumn Statement just for mental health improvements. Nick pledged to make parity for mental health care a
front page manifesto issue at the election next year and therefore crucial in any future coalition talks with other parties. This is a landmark day for mental health issues.
Liberal Democrats are the only party prioritising mental health.”

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