1MENTAL health bosses today revealed they were fighting for more resources after the quality of care offered to East Lancashire patients came under fire.

Days after Lancashire Care NHS Trust, the agency in charge of the area's mental health care, was criticised by the Health Commission for its poor services, a former patient of the trust hit out at what he said was a shortfall in care.

The chief executive of the trust has admitted he wants more money to develop services for patients. One in four people are thought to suffer some form of mental illness.

Concerns over the quality of care have been delivered to Blackburn MP Jack Straw's office by former patient Stephen Capriati of Livesey, Blackburn. He wants action to improve the resources dedicated to patients who are recovering from mental health problems.

He claims that despite the efforts of dedicated support staff, care in East Lancashire after a stay in hospital dwindles to the point that a relapse is "inevitable".

Mr Capriati, 50, was treated for manic depression four years ago at Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn. He said: "When you leave hospital you are on an enhanced care plan and these are given priority, understandably. But there are insufficient resources available to give to the lower priority cases."

A representative from Mr Straw's constituency office today said the concerns were being investigated and that the issue would be taken up with the Department of Health.

Last week the Health Commission awarded the trust one star under its rating scheme - placing it among the worst in the country.

Finlay Robertson, chief executive of the Lancashire Care NHS Trust, said: "More resources are required to support the development of mental health services."