It can be difficult to get a true picture of how our area is doing when it comes to mental health services.
So I'm pleased that Mental Health Watch, a new website which makes scrutinising spending and performance easy, has been launched by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
I'll be using this website to check how out how local area compares to others across 25 indicators, including spend per head on mental health services and waiting times for people needing treatment for depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
The College has clearly worked hard in developing a resource that finally gives me the information I need to see where services need improving and where they are doing well.
I attended the Parliamentary launch of Mental Health Watch, along with dozens of other MPs, and pledged to keep a close eye on the performance of mental health services in Faversham and Mid Kent.
Professor Wendy Burn, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “It was fantastic to welcome Helen Whately MP to the launch of Mental Health Watch.
“To have the support of so many MPs and Peers at the event shows just how much they value improving mental health services across the country.”
