Barbara Keeley, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Social Care, commenting on the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ research that shows people are travelling hundreds of miles from home as there aren’t any mental health beds locally, said:

“The government has completely failed to fix the crisis in mental health care, cutting beds but failing to invest in community mental health support, leaving staff with no other choice but to send patients long distances to receive the help they need.

“No one should be sent far away from home for mental health treatment but this is the reality for hundreds of patients every year.

“Labour will end out of area placements and invest properly in mental health services so that funding reaches the front line of services.”

Ends

Notes to Editors: