Mental health services for ethnic minorities in the Capital have been criticised by the Conservatives.

The party backed research which claimed NHS trusts in London are neglecting women from black and minority ethnic groups.

A King's Fund working paper released on Thursday was given a broad welcome by shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox.

A spokesman for the DoH told ePolitix.com: "Delivering the best service possible is at the heart of mental health services. However, the Department of Health acknowledges that mental health services are not currently fully meeting the needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups and has an extensive programme of work underway and plans that will address this issue.

"The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a positive duty on services to address racial inequality. To assist services, we will shortly be publishing the implementation framework in response to the impact assessment (as per the Race Relations Amendment Act) evidenced in Inside/Outside; the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health's Breaking the Circles of Fear and the forthcoming Engaging and Changing.

"Our strategic approach aims to have a significant impact on black and minority ethnic services users, their families, communities and providers and commissioners of mental health services.

"With the recent evidence provided by Inside Outside and the commitment given by the department to black and minority ethnic mental health we do not consider it necessary to hold an independent inquiry into the treatment of mental health patients from ethnic minority groups. "

Forum Response: Sane

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane, told ePolitix.com: "These are very serious findings.

"What is particularly concerning is that people from black and minority ethnic communities are shying away from support because of their negative experiences.

"We know that the large majority of people with mental health problems who seek treatment early can benefit and in many cases fully recover.

"If people continue avoiding help, services in London surely will soon be bombarded with more serious untreated psychiatric patients.

"The government must ensure that services for ethnic minorities are overhauled - they should be culturally and religiously sensitive, have access to translation services and importantly, be free from racism."

Forum Response: Depression Alliance

Jim Thompson, director of Depression Alliance, told ePolitix.com: "Yet again, we at Depression Alliance find ourselves agreeing with Dr Liam Fox.

"We would welcome an independent inquiry into mental health services for ethnic communities. The lack of knowledge in this area is one of many large research gaps that act as a barrier to creating safe, relevant and effective mental health services.

"People from ethnic minorities face enough challenges. This government needs to do more to embrace and nurture the diverse culture that makes Britain such a vibrant place to live. That includes people with mental health problems, people with other disabilities, people from ethnic communities. . . .people.

"Depression Alliance will be forming a group to further explore and develop governmental awareness of depression and the issues around it. We will be looking to provide solutions to the depression-related problems that waste NHS resources, cost society millions and destroy people's lives. For more information please contact us through our microsite."