Mental health spending varies dramatically among regions in England, analysis shows

Spending on mental health varies dramatically between regions in England, according to analysis from mental health charity Mind.

South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw spend nearly twice as much (£220) per person on mental health than Surrey Heartlands (£124), the analysis said. Nevertheless, spending continues to rise.

The three biggest spenders were found to be: South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw (£220.63); Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (£207.97); and North Central London (£205.11).

Those that spent the least were: Surrey Heartlands (£124.48) ; Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin (£134.77);  and Gloucestershire (£137.00).

Some of the difference can be attributed to overall health budgets through which areas with greater levels of illness receive more money.

Thus while South Yorkshire and Batteslaw spends nearly twice as much on mental health per person than Surrey Heartlands, Surrey Heartlands set aside around 10% of its budget to mental health, compared with more than 16% in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw.

Geoff Heyes, of Mind, commented: "The treatment you get shouldn't depend on where you live. The NHS and government have made it clear that mental health is a priority. Some local variation is to be expected but the scale of the difference is huge and we know that the need outstrips resource even in the areas that are performing well."

Louis Goss