Funding plea
Mental health services have often seemed to be the lowest priority, when it comes to the NHS, under successive governments.
I believe this approach is fundamentally wrong.
Mental health needs to be considered as important as physical health.
Recently I have learned of two alarming pieces of news.
After a psychiatric hospital in York closed, patients were transferred to hospitals in Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Darlington and Durham.
Meanwhile, demand for these services is increasing.
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Hide AdReferrals to the mental health charity Mind have increased by 91% in the last 12 months in Redcar and Cleveland.
We cannot rely upon charity to deal with core services at a time of NHS under-funding.
It’s time to give the NHS the resources it needs to make Britain a world leader in mental health.
Jonathan Arnott MEP,
Ukip, North East,
Elwick Road,
Hartlepool.