Lib Dem health spokesperson Councillor Ron Aitken has spoken about the work of the Local Government Association Mental Health Taskforce, following the publication of its report “Future of Mental Health: A Vision for 2015”.

Speaking to Kurt Barling on BBC London News last week Cllr Aitken, who has campaigned for proper provision of acute mental health beds, said “The balance of power must shift from managers, accountants and Whitehall to the patient,” so that people who have serious mental health problems are not discharged from hospital on grounds of cost-cutting.

There have been several high-profile cases involving local mental health services, including the case of Roger Sutherland who was not admitted to the Whittington despite being seriously ill.

“The report has been produced working alongside colleagues from other parties and we have pooled our experience in different local authorities because it is often as local councillors that we witness the real effects of mental illness,” explained Cllr Aitken.

The project aims to scope and define the future role for local government in the delivery of mental health services, enable a shift from NHS led resources to community based responsive services and lobby for more help for those acutely ill.