Release Date:  24-Jun-2008

Greater choice is at the heart of the vision for the city’s mental health services for adults over the next five years.

The joint document, A Vision for the Future, will be unveiled by Bristol City Council and the PCT at a launch event on June 24.

Key principles underlying the vision include:

• More choice for service users about when and how they are treated 
• Easier access to services
•  A greater focus on prevention and health promotion
•  Greater consultation with service users and carers and involvement in service planning and evaluation
•  Services should reflect the full diversity of Bristol’s population
•  Recognition of the needs of carers, as well as the important role they play and the expertise they have

Councillor Derek Pickup, Cabinet member for Care, Tackling Deprivation and Crime, said: “Greater choice for people seeking support is at the heart of the vision for mental health services for adults in Bristol over the next five years, making a difference and creating safer, healthier communities.

“The city has already seen major changes and significant improvements to mental health services to the community, such as the replacement of old and inadequate buildings with new facilities. However, more remains to be done to ensure the services we deliver reflect the wishes and needs of all our citizens.

“Other key objectives include a greater focus on mental well-being rather than ill-health; on prevention rather than cure.”

Deborah Evans, Chief Executive of Bristol PCT, said: "The vision is the product of an effective partnership with many stakeholders – particularly service users and carers - and aims to reflect the needs of Bristol's diverse communities. “At the heart of the vision is a commitment to offer service users a real choice in the support and services we offer"

Dr Hugh Annett, director of public health, said: "We have set ourselves a challenge with our vision on how to improve mental health services. But we do need to build on changes already begun so that people can use the services easily and appropriately and ensure that there is more help at an early stage to avoid admission to hospital."

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