Holistic approach

Now national charitable organisation Advance, which has been in existence for 30 years, wants to hold out a helping hand.

At the forefront of such help in Herefordshire is Jo Bull, who was prompted to become a psychiatric nurse by her own mother's experiences in the past.

She has joined Advance, which has offices at Tupsley, in Hereford, on a five-month secondment.

Her task is to try to shape the future care of people with mental health problems by helping to draw up a blueprint of how statutory and voluntary organisations should pull together to provide it.

The emphasis will be on those who are reluctant to be involved with traditional mental health services.

Jo, a psychiatric nurse of more than 20 years' standing, believes voluntary organisations are uniquely placed to help those wary of officialdom.

No labels were involved, there were no statutory powers and there was no fear of being detained, or given medication, she said.

Together, voluntary and statutory organisations could provide a holistic service, caring for people's health and crucial inter-linked social needs, such as housing and employment.

Jo said the care of people with mental health problems had moved on apace from the days when her mother suffered problems 30 years ago.

It had gone from institutionalisation and locking people up, to community care, where health and social care were divided - sometimes with poor communications, resulting in tragic consequences.

The Government had commissioned new community services, such as Assertive Outreach, to help those who failed to get a service because they were reluctant to get involved with statutory bodies.

But Jo believes there are drawbacks to some of the new models with delivery varying from district to district.

Recommendations in the Advance blueprint would be aimed at improving practice and driving up the quality of care provided.

Advance can be contacted at www.advanceuk.org