Tynwald has backed a mental health report from a committee calling for improved support for patients and carers.

The report states that the government has a long way to go to resolve mental health care problems and urged for cuts in patients’ waiting times.

It recommended that better communication was needed between departments and agencies that deal with the issue affecting both adults and children.

Plus an increase in support for carers and patients who have been discharged was also recommended, as well as services having a transparent approach to failings.

David Cretney MLC, chair of the committee, said: ’People should not have to wait nearly a year to see a psychologist. People should not be passed between services. People should not have to suffer to the point of crisis before they can be seen by a mental health professional.

’People should receive the care they need when and where they need it.’

Health Minister David Ashford MHK said the recommendations in the report were ’overwhelmingly supported’ by his department.

He agreed it was time that mental health received equal recognition to that placed on physical health.

’We need to work towards that as a priority so that any remaining stigma around discussing or seeking support for mental health issues is finally consigned to the dust bin of history where it belongs and we work towards developing a one point integrated care model that allows people to access the support they require when they require it,’ he said.

The Minister added that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) needed to have a particular focus on the lower tier level services to alleviate demand on the higher services.

He said that the DHSC was committed to working with organisations, such as the charity Crossroads, to help carers.

Its complaints procedure was also said to have changed recently with a review on the complaint leaflet currently taking place to ensure it was more user-friendly and accessible.

Mr Ashford told Tynwald that the capacity legislation was a priority for him as a Minister.

’The UK has been updating its mental capacity legislation and so it’s been absolutely important and crucial that we monitor and examine those changes being undertaken to ensure that any legislation that we bring forward isn’t out-of-date before it even reaches the floor of the branches.’

The mental capacity legislation is designed to protect those who may lack the ability to make their own decisions regarding their care and treatment.

One minor amendment to a recommendation was discussed by Mr Ashford. Instead of all existing staff receiving training in the 1998 Mental Health Act, it should be for relevant staff members only, he said.