Minister admits 'postcode lottery' in mental health care
The government minister in charge of mental health has admitted there is still a "postcode lottery" on the standard of care provided.
Alistair Burt said he had followed ITV News' special Changing Minds series, which has focused on the stories of those who have been failed.
Speaking to Health Editor Rachel Younger, he agreed there was a long way to go to ensure everyone gets the level and quality of help they need.
Read: Revealed: Millions slashed from mental health budgets
At the start of the week, ITV News revealed there had been cuts of £85 million to mental health provision for children and young people in England since 2010, with £35 million being slashed from funding in the past year alone.
One girl, who has almost gained control over the mental illnesses which plagued her during her teens, warned the cuts could spell a "death sentence" for many vulnerable people.
Read: Breaking the taboo: One girl's life with mental illness
Mr Burt said an extra £300 million had been ploughed into mental health services in the last financial year - though local authorities are responsible for allocating that funding appropriately.
He said the government had also set target times for access to mental health services, and said this would ensure the money would be spent on meeting those targets.
For example, he added, 50 per cent of those diagnosed with psychosis get to see someone and start treatment within two weeks.
Clinical commissioning groups will be monitored more closely than they have been, he added, and data on whether the waiting time targets are met will be made publicy available.
The targets will come into effect in 2016, he said, and work has already begun to try to make sure mental health care providers are in a strong position to begin meeting them then.
He said there was also work to be done to improve communication within the care system.