AN INNOVATIVE project being used across Bradford and Airedale could save thousands of people with serious mental illnesses from an early death.

When people suffer from mental illnesses, treatment of those conditions often take priority over any physical illnesses, such as high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.

This is one factor that leads to people with mental health issues dying, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population.

A new system, called the template system, is being used across Bradford and Airedale in 80 GP surgeries with 5,000 patients with serious mental illness; across five new clinics and within hospitals with 200 plus beds.

It makes sure the patients get the medical checks they are entitled to, including blood pressure pulse and respiration, height weight and body mass index and blood tests.

It also provides "lifestyle assessments" to include diet, exercise and smoking status, as well as any issues relating to sexual dysfunction. The patients are then referred to appropriate services if needed.

It is hoped the system will increase the life expectancy of people with mental illnesses, and a top NHS boss has said the work being done in Bradford could help tackle some of the greatest equalities in British healthcare if expanded nationally.

Kate Dale, mental health nurse and physical health project lead for Bradford District Care Trust which runs the scheme, said: “We know that patients with SMI are at risk of dying up to 25 years younger than the general population due to physical health problems.

“The types of medication patients are prescribed can lead to weight gain that may not be monitored, leading to the possibility of undiagnosed diabetes, raised blood pressure and other physical health problems. If this tool was used nationally it could save many thousands of lives.

“Patients really do value being asked about their physical health. If we can monitor patients from the outset of treatment, then we can make sure we can understand and capture any changes.

Dr Geraldine Strathdee, national clinical director for mental health for NHS England, said: “The Bradford tool is a terrific, practical support tool to help every GP and practice nurse, and every psychiatrist and specialist mental health nurse to tackle one of the greatest ‘parity’ inequalities in British healthcare.

“The Bradford Care trust has now skilfully adapted the template for use in its secondary mental health care inpatient and community services. In addition, what is very impressive, is the close collaboration between mental health and GP leaders across Bradford."