NHS England has set out guidance for how new access and waiting time standards for mental health services are to be introduced. In October, NHS England and the Department of Health announced the measures in Improving better access to mental health services by 2020. NHS England’s guidance, out today for CCGs, explains the case for change […]

A TV presenter whose dad died from dementia has urged people with symptoms to heed the advice of medics and come forward as early as possible. Journalist Sarah Travers (40), who has worked for a variety of media outlets including ITV and the BBC, was devastated when her dad Ian died of the disease in […]

Scientists are on target to develop a cure for dementia within the next 10 years, Alistair Burns, NHS England’s national clinical director for dementia has said. He says he is confident there will be a cure for dementia, or at least a drug that will significantly slow down its progression, by 2025. Professor Burns, 56, who […]

A new resource with tools for commissioning effective mental health services for children and young people has been published. NHS England has published the new model specification for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) targeted and specialist services (tiers 2 and 3) which treat patients with a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties such […]

Patients using mental health and community health services are able to give feedback on their experiences of care and treatment from today (Thursday, 1 January, 2015). This comes as the Friends and Family Test (FFT), a real time patient feedback tool that is already operating for some hospital services such as maternity and A&E, continues […]

NHS England’s top dementia doctor says cutting back on alcohol to protect your mental health is a good 2015 resolution. Prevention is something everyone can help with as the NHS tackles the growing issue of dementia, says Professor Alistair Burns, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Dementia. He said a number of research studies* showed […]

NHS England has published updated guidance to help commissioners, GPs and providers support mental health patients exercising their legal rights to choose who provides their care and treatment. This follows extensive consultation on the interim guidance published earlier this year. In April 2014 the Government established for people with mental health conditions the same legal right […]

Eight pilot schemes set to lead the way in innovating change to services for children and young people with mental health issues have scooped a share of a £500k fund. Pilots in NEW Devon, Derbyshire, Newcastle, Tameside and Glossop, Norfolk, Southampton, Wolverhampton and South Sefton have all been awarded up to £75k to develop their plans. […]

Another thirteen trial schemes are to launch in April 2015 to place mental health professionals in police stations and courts.  These schemes aim to ensure people who come into the criminal justice system with mental health conditions, learning disabilities and other vulnerabilities are recognised and are promptly referred into health and other services to get […]

Dementia is a clinical syndrome and at one level simply implies brain failure (analogous to heart failure or liver failure). The diagnosis is a two stage process. First, to make a diagnosis of dementia you need to differentiate it from: depression; delirium; the effect of drugs and; the changes in memory expected as part of […]