Danny Chambers MP praises Winchester mental health project in Parliament. Urges national roll-out

On World Mental Health Day (10th October) Liberal Democrat spokesperson for mental health and Winchester MP, Danny Chambers, praised the work of a highly successful local collaboration between Melbury Lodge, a specialist mental health facility at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and the Citizens Advice bureau in Winchester.

The project provides one-to-one advice and support to in-patients on matters relating to living in the community, from relationship and financial advice to management of debt, benefits and housing issues.

Mental health inpatients often find their civil life disrupted while receiving treatment, leading to difficulties managing a range of vital services they may rely on like benefits, mortgage payments and utility bills. The last thing patients want upon discharge is to be confronted with an unexpected bill or to find difficulty accessing their benefits. This project helps prevent this and supports patients as they leave acute care.

Danny Chambers MP called on the government to roll-out similar schemes across the country and take advantage of the huge cost savings it would mean for the NHS. Amazingly, the Melbury Lodge and Citizens Advice team have demonstrated that for every £1 spent on this project, the NHS system can avoid spending over £14, which is a huge return on investment. The research shows that having the Citizens Advice service on site means that Melbury Lodge has avoided spending nearly a quarter of a million pounds.

Danny Chambers said in Parliament on Thursday (10th October):
“I urge the Government to look at the results of this initiative with a view to rolling it out in other parts of the country, because it is good for patients, good for NHS staff and good for the taxpayer.”

“We need to acknowledge the impact that the lack of mental healthcare has on other public services. When I go out with the police in Winchester, they tell me that they spend between 40% and 50% of their time dealing with mental health issues”

"The recent Darzi Investigation produced the shocking statistic that ‘Mental health accounts for 20% of the disease burden for the NHS, with only 10% of the funding.’ 

“We need to ensure mental health is treated with the same level of importance as physical health, and this won’t happen if it continues to be funded at half the level it should be.”

“I’d urge anyone who is struggling in a mental health crisis not to suffer alone, as there are many organisations and people who care deeply, and would encourage you to reach out.”