PLANS to develop and improve mental health services across areas of Scotland have been unveiled.

Public consultation on proposed changes to mental health services across Clyde will take in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire.

The proposals form part of a wider strategy to increase the range of services, improve mental health accommodation and facilities and provide a number of additional new services, not previously available.

It also outlines plans to invest more than £7million across Clyde to develop community services, supported accommodation, residential care and home care services. This will offer a range of alternatives to inpatient care while still ensuring that high quality hospital services are available for those who need them.

The strategy was developed following a review of existing services which found that, although there are many examples of good quality mental health services across Clyde, historically there has been a lack of investment in community services.

Anne Hawkins, director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's Mental Health Partnership, said: "Redesigning existing mental health services will enable us to improve the standard and quality of accommodation for patients and staff."