Luciana Berger MP, Labour’s Shadow Public Health Minster, commenting on the closure of hospital beds for mental health patients, said:

“This out of touch Tory-led Government has repeatedly cut spending on mental health services in the NHS. Ministers cannot act surprised today.

“You can’t trust David Cameron with the NHS. In a little over two years, he’s axed 1,700 mental health beds alone. Hospital wards are now running beyond safe occupancy levels and others are forced to turn patients away. When they most need support, people are being forced to travel unacceptable distances for hospital care.

“Ministers have a responsibility to ensure that mental health services are accessible, but vulnerable people are being let down.

“Labour’s vision for a national health and care service has mental health at its heart, not relegated to the fringes.”