I enjoyed Charles Kaye and Michael Howlett's analysis of mental health services yet failed to see where the 'gloss' was in any of the stories listed at the start of the article.

Mental health services recognise they are not always as good as they should be but are clear that over the last few years we have made great progress.

The Mental Health Network recognises services have to improve. This is why, together with a range of groups, we have created the New Vision for Mental Health discussion paper. It sets out what mental health services should aim for now the current national service framework is coming to an end. The vision has patient experience and outcomes at its heart and while we know things are getting better, we recognise that the challenge now is to achieve consistency across the country.

Steve Shrubb, director, Mental Health Network

Topics