The Chief Executives of the new Local Health Boards (LHBs) in Wales have been chosen. Announcing the new appointments for the LHBs (which will be established in June and fully operational in October)
Awards honour unsung heroes of mental health
“I was surprised and shocked that I’d been nominated. You don’t expect to have awards for the work you do, it’s quite humbling to be nominated for something and I actually felt quite emotional when I won.” Those are the words of Community Psychiatric Nurse, Vaughan Miles,
Report says Mental Health Treatment Requirements are not being used by sentencers
Courts are failing to maximise the potential of community sentences that have the power to keep offenders with mental health problems out of prison.
Discrimination against carers to become illegal
Minister for Women and Equality Harriet Harman MP has announced the Government will shortly end discrimination against carers.
A written statement issued by the Minister on April 1st stated the change will be included in the Government’s Equality Bill which will be published later this month.
NICE issues new guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidelines on the best way to treat and manage adults with schizophrenia in primary and secondary care.
Government report highlights
“Those with schizophrenia are 90% more likely to get bowel cancer, 42% more likely to have breast cancer, have higher rates of diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke and respiratory disease and on average die 10 years younger than counterparts without mental health problems.”
New LHB chairs appointed
The new chairs appointed to lead the seven new Local Health Boards were announced this week. The new Boards – which will undertake the functions of the current 22 Local Health Boards and seven NHS Trusts – will be set up in shadow form from 1 June and become fully operational from 1 October…
First Minister questions policy of sending people with mental health problems to prison
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has challenged “the wisdom of a sentencing policy that involves many with severe mental health problems being sent to prison when what they may need is mental health treatment outside.”
Assembly committee told of “patchy” provision of community mental health services in Wales
Evidence regarding the provision of community mental health services in Wales has been presented to the National Assembly for Wales’ Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee.
Gwent NHS Trust’s mental health facilities criticised
A review of Gwent NHS Trust’s mental facilities has concluded that the organisation must overcome a series of “challenges” if it is to successfully deliver its services.