The Equalities in Mental Health Programme seeks to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for people with mental health issues. It has evolved within National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE) and is a major workstream within the new National Mental Health Development Unit.
The National Mental Health Development Unit www.nmhdu.org.uk, launched in April 2009, consists of a small central team and a range of programmes funded by both the Department of Health and the NHS. It provides national support for implementing mental health policy by advising on national and international best practice to improve mental health and mental health services.
NMHDU does this by commissioning or providing:
- Specialist expertise in priority areas of policy and delivery
- Effective knowledge transfer on research, evidence and good practice
- Translation of national policies into practical deliverables that achieve outcomes
- Coordination of national activity to help regional and local implementation.
NMHDU's work is being developed through co-production between DH and
the ten Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs), and strategic partnerships
with other groups such as the NHS Confederation, the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the major mental health third sector organisations.
The new body takes over some of the national activities previously
carried out by the National Institute for Mental Health in England
(NIMHE) while the SHAs will incorporate the resources of the former
NIMHE Regional Development Centres to support regional and local
delivery.