The government has published an interim report laying the groundwork for its major conditions strategy.

The major conditions strategy, announced earlier this year, will set out a plan for tackling poor health and early mortality across several conditions. including mental ill health. 

Responding to the interim report, Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness, said:

“This strategy from government makes a good assessment of the systemic issues currently exacerbating mental and physical illness in our society.

“The commitment to introduce a mental health and wellbeing impact assessment tool and a re-emphasis of the importance of mental health waiting time standards are both encouraging to see. Equally, the pledge to improve support with physical health as well as increasing access to physical health checks for people severely affected by mental illness, which are routine but potentially life-saving appointments, is very welcome.

“We look forward to supporting this strategy to develop a true, long-term vision to improve the mental and physical health of people living with major health conditions. But to truly shift the dial and improve the nation's mental health, the final strategy needs to be a truly cross-government plan with scope beyond the NHS to tackle the wider social drivers of poor mental health, such as inadequate housing, poverty, and racism. There is no getting away from the gear shift in funding needed to ensure community services can properly support the mental and physical health of everyone in need, particularly as demand continues to grow.”