Mental health body to voice frustration over funding

FRUSTRATION at the slow rate of progress in introducing key elements of a two-year-old mental health act is expected to be expressed today by the independent body set up to shepherd in the legislation.

Members of the Mental Health Commission, whose first annual report is published today, are to voice their concerns about what they say is the continued underfunding of psychiatric services. There is some frustration that an inspector of mental hospitals has yet to be appointed, though this is expected soon, while the chief executive has only been in situ a number of months.

The 2001 Mental Health Act also promised to set up tribunals to oversee the forced detention of individuals. This has not yet happened and lack of money is being blamed.