SUICIDE RATE AMONG MENTAL HEALTH SUFFERERS IS UNACCEPTABLE SAYS GUILDFORD MP

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 8th Apr 2004

Sue Doughty MP is seeking an urgent meeting with the Chief Executive of Surrey Hants Borders Mental Health Trust to identify the problems which preceded a number of recent suicides amongst sufferers from mental illness.

Sue said:

"I am aware that in some cases it would seem that people were unable to get the care and help they needed at times of deep despair. We need to know why not. If it is a case of not enough resources, this must be identified and steps taken to get the care where it is needed."

Despite a strong battle fought by Sue Doughty to get funding for the Den which supports people who have had severe mental illness Rethink has been unable to save this facility.

Sue said:

"The Den, and also Ludlow Road Centre have a strong role to play in the support of sufferers who might otherwise see their conditions worsen. Reduction in this type of intermediate care may prove a short term saving with long term harmful effects. I believe that while the government has been successful at improving its targets for cancer care and other physical illnesses, sufferers from mental illnesses have seen their care getting worse."

Local doctors have also raised concerns with Sue about lack of funding for psychiatric services.