Decision details

Following the ministerial announcement that the mental health tariff will be cut by 20%, the Board will be considering what the implications of this are for the borough, whether any plans or strategies are affected by the cut, and to what extent parity of esteem between mental and physical health is damaged by this proposal.

The Board wished to record its concerns in regards to the tariff provision, which equated to a funding reduction, and the felt this was not supportive of the policy of achieving parity of esteem’ between mental health and physical health provision.  The Board also noted that this could be further exacerbated by the disparity between acute and non-acute service availability.  The Board made note of the safeguarding implications and costs following on from the Francis report.

Accordingly, the Board asked the Mental Health Sub Group monitor this closely and escalate issues to the Board if necessary.