Home > Parity of outcomes for mental and physical health urged.

[Irish Medical Times] Parity of outcomes for mental and physical health urged. (03 Dec 2014)

External website: http://www.imt.ie/news/latest-news/2014/12/parity-...


The IMO, together with the British Medical Association, (BMA) Northern Ireland (NI) have called for a parity of outcomes for both physical and mental health.

According to a joint statement issued recently at a special all-Ireland conference on mental health and addiction, which took place in Dublin, the two unions have called for resources to ensure “parity of outcomes for both physical and mental health and steps to address the unmet needs in people who have mental health conditions”.

“To realise this goal, and make ‘parity of outcomes’ a reality, action is needed to promote prevention and early intervention strategies; enhance training and workforce planning to improve the quality of care these groups receive; deliver more joined-up care, particularly through improving commissioning and delivery processes; and encourage a greater research focus on mental-physical multi-morbidity,” the statement added.

The IMO and BMA NI also called for resources to ensure people with a dual diagnosis received a high standard of care and that doctors had access to the appropriate training to care for these patients.

The joint statement further warned of the impact the recession was having on mental health services across the island of Ireland, with increased demand coming at a time when resources were being reduced.

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