Unite Proposes Three-Point Mental Health Plan

The UK’s largest union Unite has outlined a three-point plan to improve the country’s mental health services.

Unite, whose members include the Mental Health Nurses Association, has proposed that services need greater investment, together with an increased level of staff support and training.

It also calls for established national standards in patient care and more “integrated links” between different areas of the mental health service.

Brian Rogers, lead officer of mental health for Unite, said that there is a “massive variation in the standards of care services” across the UK.

“We believe that if the basic principles we have outlined were adopted strategically, this would have a beneficial effect in the wards,” he added.

Mental health charity Mind was recently “encouraged” by the Healthcare Commission report which classed 12 per cent of trusts as “excellent”.

It said that is was buoyant that “a number of high performing trusts” were identified.