Mental Health Strategy Revealed (Feb 2003)

The Mid Sussex Leader Reports on 27th February 2003 that ' Health bosses have outlined their future plans to provide services for people with mental health problems.
West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust says its working age mental health services form the biggest single part of its work , providing facilities for thousands of people. Bosses admit some areas need more investment, especially in the north of the county, to bring all its buildings up to the same standard.
The Trust has inpatient wards in the grounds of the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywrads Heath and at Horsham Hospital, which badly needs upgrading.
The Trust says people should be able to access specialised mental health services and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mental Health services should offer a range of care from support in GP-based services to treatment in hospital for those most at risk and vulnerable. Services should also meet people's individual needs rather than having people getting a standard model of treatment that might not be suitable. The new strategy also emphasises patients and carers have a right to be involved in decisions about their care.' JH