One of the podcasts in a series created for us by Mental Elf André Tomlin.

NHS Psychiatrist Peter Byrne talks about smoking and mental illness: “The largest preventable part of the 17 years of life lost is due to smoking, and that’s something we now want to do something about, because it’s plain to see what we’ve been doing up to now isn’t working”.

For too long, inequalities in physical health for people with mental health conditions have been ignored or taken for granted. We are supporting and promoting Equally Well UK to help to bring about sustained and significant change across the country. 

As a Member-led charity we are fully aware of the physical health inequalities faced by people affected by mental illness. We also know from experience that improving physical health can be a key part of recovery from a mental illness, and essential to achieving a better quality of life.

Alun Thomas, Hafal

We should be relentless in addressing the physical health of those with a mental illness and the significant inequality they face. We join the Equally Well collaborative with the aim to play our part in reducing this gap.

We believe that it is fundamentally important that everyone who accesses healthcare is confident that they will receive the best possible care, irrespective of the nature of their illness or infirmity, and we are committed to working with others to achieve this aim.

Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, RCGP Chair

For too long we have neglected the physical health needs of people living with mental illness. Resulting tragically in lives cut short. It is time to act and end this outdated health inequality.

Mark Winstanley, CEO, Rethink Mental Illness

"We are proud to be part of this critical movement to improve the quality of everyday life for people with mental illness. Physical health concerns often go unrecognised and untreated and this has to change."

"People with severe mental health problems are dying prematurely – largely from preventable illnesses. This is one of our greatest shames as a society. We need to be resolute that through Equally Well we will make this a thing of the past."

Isabella Goldie, Mental Health Foundation

"My desire is that we move to a place where we care for the person rather than the illness and needs are met by one service. I’m therefore delighted to support Equally Well UKs ambitious charter"

Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Health Education England

"The early deaths and illness experienced by people with a mental health condition are in large part caused by smoking. We are pleased to be part of a movement challenging the norms that perpetuate poor health for this community."

Deborah Arnott, ASH

"We embrace the opportunity the Equally Well initiative provides to work in partnership to improve the quality of life and life expectancy for people in our communities with mental illness."

"We are excited to join the new ‘Equally Well’ collaborative. This is a great opportunity to learn with and from others about how we can best deliver high quality holistic care for our patients."

Sarah Wilding, Deputy Chief Nurse, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
"We are committed to joining up mental and physical healthcare, training and research to improve health outcomes for our patients. Equally Well provides a fantastic platform to do this."
"The Equally Well network presents a valuable opportunity to bring together our partners’ collective strengths to help make whole person care a reality for our patients and local population."
Jo Haworth, Deputy Chief Nurse, King’s College Hospital

"Physical health and a person’s mental health needs are closely linked and we must all provide person centered holistic care, each person has a unique set of care needs which we all must ensure are met."

David Wilmott, Director of Nursing, Cygnet Health Care

“As the third largest health profession, pharmacists working across the NHS can play a key role in improving people’s physical and mental health, so we are delighted to support the launch of the Equally Well Charter.”

Sandra Gidley, Chair of the English Pharmacy Board, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

For such a health inequality to still exist is unacceptable.  The College of Mental Health Pharmacy is proud to join this group of organisations to finally make a change for the better.

Juliet Shepherd, President, The College of Mental Health Pharmacy

Everyone should have the same opportunity to lead a healthy long life, no matter who they are, what their circumstances, or where they live in England.  Public Health England is committed to system wide action to reduce inequalities and support people living with mental illness to live well for longer.

Lily Makurah, National Lead for Public Mental Health, PHE

"We are dedicated to providing outstanding and compassionate care for our service users and patients, and by pledging our commitment to the Equally Well Charter for equal health, we will take another step forward to ensuring our services continue to evolve and meet the needs of our communities.

“We will strive to ensure that our services are accessible to anyone experiencing mental health problems. Our colleagues will continue to work with service users to improve their physical wellbeing and to prevent, treat and manage physical health problems, creating individual care plans to their needs"

At NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG we are committed to working with our system partners to improve all aspects of health and wellbeing for our whole population. This includes a key focus on both the physical and mental health of those with mental health conditions. Those living with severe mental illness are at greater risk of poor physical health and preventable conditions which has an impact on life expectancy. As part of our ongoing mental health community transformation work, we are addressing these inequalities, providing better access and quality of care to those with severe mental illness. We are delighted to join the Equally Well UK collaborative and believe our membership will be invaluable.

Cath Byford, Chief Nurse, NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG

There is a significant disconnect between physical and mental health resources in our society which has a direct impact on people’s health and wellbeing.   I am delighted to adopt the Equally Well Charter so we can work together to address this divide and better serve our communities in Kirklees.

Michelle Cross LIPS Service Director Michelle Cross, Service Director - Mental Health and Learning Disability, Local Integrated Partnerships within Kirklees Council

Joanna Forster Adams

'No-one with mental illness should be at a disadvantage when it comes to physical health. We are delighted to be working with like-minded organisations to tackle this issue and effect positive change.'

Joanna Forster Adams, Chief Operating Officer, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust