Commitment 5
"[By 2009] We will improve the physical health of those with severe and enduring mental illness by ensuring that every such patient, where possible and appropriate, has a physical health assessment at least once every 15 months."
Why is this important?
Those with mental illness have a greater risk of, and higher rates of, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease and infections. This care group also has more smokers, more alcohol consumption, drug misuse and reduced life expectancy.
What are we doing?
Mental Health in Scotland: Improving the Physical Health and Well Being of those Experiencing Mental Illness
This guidance is aimed at clinicians and service providers from mental health and primary care (general practice), the wider NHS (general hospitals and others), local authority and voluntary sector organisations who regularly care for people with mental health problems.
Improving the Physical Health and Wellbeing of those experiencing mental illness (Service Users)
Improving the Physical Health and Well-being of those experiencing mental illness (Service Providers)
We have commissioned a group of professionals with relevant expertise to write a report on how best to meet this commitment. The draft report concentrates on how mental health services can work with all care partners to improve the physical health of people with a mental illness. This work fits the focus on maintaining good physical health for all Scottish people and the need for good support for people with long term conditions,
A Consultation process ( read more about consultations) has started. Please feel free to contribute ideas and comments.
Mental Health Division February 2008.