Services for Older People with Mental Health Problems: The Balance of Care in Cumbria

The University of Kent at Canterbury PSSRU Cornwallis Building, University of Kent at Canterbury, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NF Tel: 01227 823963 Fax: 01227 827038 Email: [email protected] Site Director: Professor Ann Netten The London School of Economics PSSRU London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London WC2 2AE Tel: 020 7955 6238 Fax: 020 7955 6131 Email: [email protected] Site Director: Professor Martin Knapp The University of Manchester PSSRU Dover Street Building The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Tel: 0161 275 5250 Fax: 0161 275 5790 Email: [email protected] Site Director: Professor David Challis Government policy is firmly committed to the principle of community care for older people with mental health problems. The primary assumption is that most, including those with complex needs, can, and would prefer to be, treated/ supported in their own homes. Differences in service mix, resource levels and historical context have however led to variations in the ability of local providers to achieve this.