The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has proposed new guidelines for adult mental health care provided by the NHS.
It came just a week after COVER reported strong concerns were raised by GPs in research from Aviva's Health of the Nation report.
More than half the GPs questioned branded the quality of NHS care as poor and that the lack of support for patients with mental health issues was their key concern.
The National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health was commissioned to develop the service user experience in adult mental health guidance and quality standard.
This, NICE said, included ensuring that people had timely and efficient access to mental health services.
It also recommended that 'people using mental health services are supported by mental health and social care professionals trained in cultural awareness by a programme including local voluntary organisations working with black and minority ethnic communities.
'In addition people using mental health services can be assured that services are combating the stigma associated with mental health problems, mental illness and mental health services,' it added.
NICE is also opening a consultation on improving the quality of patient experience.
This guidance is being developed alongside the quality standards and aims to promote person-centred care that takes into account service users' and patients' needs, concerns and preferences.
The organisation explained the two new guidelines were prompted by the government's ‘Equity and excellence: liberating the NHS' White Paper and previous reviews such as that by Lord Darzi.
The final quality standards and guidance are expected to be published in October.
