We have talked to local people and health and social care professionals to gain an understanding of what we need to improve in relation to mental health services. The draft strategy covers:
- Mental health services for older people aged 65 and over, provided by the NHS, social care, borough and district councils, voluntary and independent sector
- Services that provide treatment, care and support for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and all types of dementia
- Services for the small number of people who experience dementia, before the age of 65.
- People like to remain in their own homes and live a healthy life, as long as possible
- People would like information on services that are co-ordinated and accessible
- People need to know where to go for help when feeling unwell, down, or having difficulty remembering things
- Carers need someone with the right expertise, who can understand and advise
- Carers want to be supported in their role, and to know how they could take a break
- People don’t want to tell their stories more than once or to get lost between health and social care services
- If diagnosed with a mental illness or dementia, people want to understand fully how they can manage their condition and plan for the future
- Services on offer should be equally available across all of Surrey
- Older people and their carers should be able to get emergency help and support, even outside of working hours
- People should not have unnecessary admissions or spend extended periods of time in hospital
- Unless a person really needs to, they should avoid going into a care home
- Care staff in residential care should have a full understanding of mental illnesses, as well as physical impairments.
