The Platform for the Defense of Public Mental Health Care (PSM) has appeared again (June 15, 2016) before the Parliament's Health Committee, chaired by Junts pel Sí deputy Alba Vergés. On this occasion, the aim was to present the Situation Report on Mental Health in Catalonia, prepared by the PSM based on data provided by former Health Minister Boi Ruiz at the request of the various parliamentary groups following the Platform's last appearance. On behalf of the PSM, Angels Vives spoke, contextualizing the presented Report within the framework of the organization's concerns and actions, Cesca Zapater, who presented a summary of the key data illustrating the reduction in budgets, the increase in activity, the lack of territorial equity, and other indicators, highlighting the threat to the quality of the public mental health system. In her turn, Claudia Vásquez shared the testimony of some of the difficulties professionals face in the current context of budget cuts, and finally Joan Tremoleda, who presented some proposals and requests for support to the various parliamentary groups. Next, representatives from the different parliamentary groups took the floor, allowing for a second and final round of interventions by members of the Platform.
Notable among the attendees were Pilar Magrinyà, General Director of Planning for the Department of Health; Miquel Casares, Head of the Office of Institutional Relations for the Minister of Health; and Cristina Molina, Director of the Master Plan for Mental Health and Addictions. They were able to hear firsthand the complaints, reflections, and proposals from the PSM, thus enabling a first level of contact that had not yet occurred. In this regard, it should be recalled that the Platform requested an interview with Minister Toni Comín on February 29th, and it is still awaiting a response. The Platform highly values this space for exchange between civil society and our elected representatives, within the framework of the Parliament of Catalonia.
For further information, see the Report presented in its version complete i summarized or through the Parliament Channel.
