Mental health care still lacking

MENTAL health care provisions have been criticised in a report.

The Health and Social Care Advisory Service's paper expresses concern over the lack of progress in drafting and enacting the law which the States approved in 2002.

It also highlights the difficulties in developing appropriate levels of primary care to relieve the pressure on the secondary service.

Health and Social Services minister Hunter Adam (pictured) said while it was encouraging that progress had been made in some areas, it was concerning that there had been little in some strategic ones.

'It is particularly important that a new strategy designed to meet the mental health care needs of the population is developed,' he said. 'This must include the enhanced availability of resources within primary care to help general practitioners deliver appropriate services.'

HSSD commissioned the external review. Hascas was chosen because, as the former Health Advisory Service, it had carried out reviews of care for the elderly and mental health services in 1999 and 2001.