Priory sets out mental health and social care manifesto for political parties ahead of general election

Priory, the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and social care services, has set out its manifesto for political parties ahead of the general election next month.

Launching the eight-point plan, chief executive Rebekah Cresswell said “the health and social care system as it currently exists is unsustainable and in need of fundamental reform”.

She said the organisation was “uniquely positioned” to offer guidance, insight, support and potential solutions as the only provider of both mental health and social care across all four UK nations.

“The crisis in the NHS and throughout social care is well-documented and will be centre-stage throughout the election campaign and beyond,” explained Ms Cresswell.

“We are a proud partner of the NHS and local authorities and play a significant part in the national effort to provide capacity within mental health and social care, working closely with our commissioners and partners to offer specialist support to some of the most vulnerable people in the UK.

“At this juncture it is vital we advocate for the role and importance of the independent sector and ensure people fully understand how it already improves and enhances the wider system with opportunities to take this further.”

The plan sets out eight priorities for the next government:

• Promote care as a career: A clear career path for people working in care that offers personal growth and acknowledges the vital role they play so we can better tackle the workforce crisis
• Acknowledge the intrinsic role of the independent sector as a partner in the UK health and social care system: The independent sector plays a critical role in the delivery of high quality mental health and social care and should be viewed as an integral part of local health and social care economies
• Focus on homes not hospitals: More community provision so that autistic people and people with a learning disability or a long-term, enduring mental health condition can transition to better and more appropriate environments, within the community whenever possible
• Commission integrated health and social care pathways, giving independent providers a seat at the table: Integration of health and social care as has been implemented at Priory, with greater involvement from the independent sector in co-designing pathways to meet individual needs
• Honour the true cost of care: Ensure funders provide adequate financial support to cover the true cost of care so providers can continue to operate sustainable services and homes can avoid closure
• Ensure fair, consistent and effective regulation across health and social care: Avoid significant and unjustified variations in the standard, quality and equity of inspections and reports which impacts patient confidence, recruitment, makes sites unsustainable and can delay or prevent improvement
• Prioritise early intervention for mental health conditions: Deliver fundamental reform in mental health provision within primary care and communities – particularly for children and young people – to avoid rapidly escalating acuity where people become severely unwell and have poorer outcomes
• Improve access to and provision of addiction services, with greater support for people with co-existing mental health conditions: Commission services that provide integrated support for addiction and mental health conditions as a part of a national treatment programme, ensuring equal access to appropriate services for all and earlier.

Priory’s services treat more than 70 conditions including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, alongside child and adolescent mental health.

The organisation also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, genetic disorder Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities.

Ms Cresswell said: “Our range of services means we have created pathways between health and social care services within one organisation, in keeping with the vision of integrated care systems that seek to break down the barriers between health and social care services.

“Our models of care are supporting thousands of people a year to live their lives to the full, despite the profound challenges many face. We take huge pride in this and would love to share our knowledge more broadly so we can improve the system together for all patients, residents, families and carers.”

She added: “We know that Priory has a lot to contribute as the country looks to overcome significant challenges across the health and social care sectors, and we call on the incoming government to work with us to ensure a successful and sustainable future for everyone. ”

ENDS

Contact: [email protected]

About Priory and MEDIAN Group 

Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.

Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 290 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 20,000 beds caring for around 250,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 15 facilities and 2,100 beds caring for 11,000 people in Spain, with more than 29,000 employees across the group.