Race Equality in Mental Healthcare: 2010 and Beyond
Date: Wednesday, 13th October 2010
Time: 10.40am – 3.15pm (including networking lunch)
Venue: The Commonwealth C lub, London
Cost: £225 per place or £175 for two or more places
“Another DRE goal is to reduce detention rates among black and minority ethnic groups. However, detention rates have remained higher than average among the Black Caribbean, Black African and Other Black groups in the four annual censuses conducted from 2005 to 2008; the same pattern was seen in 2009 census in terms of overall use of the Mental Health Act, including CTOs”.
- Count Me in Census, Care Quality Commission, January 2010
“It is unacceptable that five years after this census was introduced BME groups continue to be grossly over-represented on inpatient wards and there has been no real progress towards reducing the number of people on mixed sex wards. In some areas of the country good work is being done to address these issues but the big picture shows a fundamental failure to deal with problems”.
- Paul Farmer, Chief Executive, Mind, January 2010
The Context
The 2010 objective of the Delivering Race Equality (DRE) programme was to implement equality and end discrimination in mental health services for all members of the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) community. However, the latest findings of the Care Quality Commission’s census, Count Me In, revealed that significant challenges still remain in tackling these inequalities. Building on the work of the DRE programme, the recently launched New Horizons strategy outlines new approaches to improving mental healthcare outcomes for the BME community. Addressing these remaining inequality challenges and improving overall mental health and well-being is essential in helping all members of society to realise their potential, cope with adversity, and contribute to building stronger communities.
Confirmed Speakers Include:
- Dr Hugh Griffiths, Deputy National Clinical Director of Mental Health, Department of Health
- Hari Sewell, National Lead – Race, National Mental Health Development Unit
- Marcel Vige, Manager, Diverse Minds
- Professor Sashi Sashidaran, Bennett inquiry panel member
- James Holland, Equalities Manager, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Tony Roberts, Team Manager, Mental Health Race Equality Team, NHS Central Lancashire
- Alicia Spence, Director, African Caribbean Community Initiative
- (Chair) Jim Symington, Deputy Director, National Mental Health Development Unit
The Issues
Throughout the day delegates will have the chance to engage with the panel, investigating key issues such as:
- Reviewing the DRE programme and implications of the New Horizons strategy for BME mental healthcare
- What are the key priorities for mental healthcare practitioners working with the BME community?
- With tightening health budgets, how can providers commission effective but affordable mental health services?
- How can mental healthcare providers, local authorities and other statutory agencies form more effective partnerships?
- What lessons can be learnt from community and mental health user groups?
- What are the implications of the Equalities Act?
Objectives and Outcomes
The morning of this Policy and Practice Briefing will provide delegates with a forum to consider the current Government initiatives in delivering race equality in mental healthcare and what the remaining key challenges are that need to be addressed. Delegates will gain a comprehensive view of current issues and thinking.
The afternoon will be highly interactive, investigating successful local examples of delivering better health outcomes for the BME community and offering practical solutions to the challenges faced by service providers and users. Delegates will gain ideas and insights to take back to their organisations and roles.
Who should Attend?
Delegates will be invited from local authorities, including mental health, social care and race equality officers; councillors and cabinet members; local, regional and national mental health services; relevant central government departments and bodies; mental healthcare professionals and practitioners; BME mental health NGOs and charities; and any stakeholder that has an interest in delivering better mental health outcomes for the BME community.
Registration Options
