Mental health spending varies widely in England

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An analysis suggests that mental health expenditures are almost twice as high in England.

The charity for mental health Mind has looked at investments in 42 NHS regions.

She found that Surrey Heartlands had spent the least (£ 124 per person last year) on South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, which had spent more than £ 220.

The charity said the differences were huge and would affect the quality of care, but that despite variations, spending continued to rise everywhere.

Results were released to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.

Mental health spending has become a priority in recent years.

In 2016, additional funds were announced and they were added to those of last year when the government announced its 10-year plan for the NHS.

The analysis by Mind showed that all areas were increasing their mental health budgets in parallel with the overall increase in spending – part of a requirement set by senior NHS officials.

But this masked the large variations that still existed, depending on projected spending levels in 2018-2019.

The biggest spenders (per person, per year)

1. South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw £ 220.63
2. Cornwall and the islands of Scilly 239,00 €
3. North Central London £ 205.11

The lowest spenders (per person, per year)

1. Surrey Heartlands £ 124.48
2. Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin 150,00 €
3. Gloucestershire £ 137.00

Should we expect variations?

Some of the differences will certainly be related to the variation in overall health budgets.

The most disadvantaged and the most seriously ill areas have more money.

This means that, while cash expenditures are almost twice as large, the share of the regional budget devoted to mental health is closer.

For example, Surrey Heartlands spends 10% of its budget on mental health, compared to more than 16% in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.

Mind's Geoff Heyes said there was "positive change" and budgets were increasing, but that the "long-term historical lottery with zip code" was still a concern.

"The treatment you receive should not depend on where you live.

"The NHS and the government have made it clear that mental health is a priority, we can expect variations at the local level, but the scale of the difference is huge and we know that the need goes beyond even in areas where performance is satisfactory. "

He added that as soon as additional money began to be available – by 2023, mental health is able to get £ 2.3 billion from the additional £ 20 billion allocated to the NHS – local areas needed to cope with funding levels.

An NHS England spokeswoman said spending had increased and would continue to rise.

She said that over the next five years, an additional 700,000 people would benefit from care and support.

"Funding for mental health services will increase faster than the overall NHS budget," she added.