Letter: Clunis case reveals the community unprepared for care
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The Clunis Inquiry Report reflects the impossibility of effective community care provision without adequate funding.
Virginia Bottomley's response that she will allocate an extra pounds 10m for community-based mental health services in London from 1995 is, of course, welcome. It is, none the less, important that this government should understand that, if there are insufficient resources to meet the needs of mentally disordered patients who are discharged into the community, resources are required to be made available as a matter of legal obligation.
Unlike most community care services, which derive from powers of social services departments, there is a duty on local authorities to provide after-care services under s117 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Nothing in the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (which creates the community care regime) dilutes that duty.
It is trite law that budgeting difficulties cannot be used as an excuse for failing to comply with a statutory duty. Indeed, Mrs Bottomley need look no further than paragraph 13 of Circular CI (92) 34 (her own guidance to community care authorities) for confirmation.
Yours faithfully,
RICHARD GORDON
London, WC2
25 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments