AN MP has met government minister to discuss the crisis in mental health treatment facing York.

Rachael Maskell MP met junior health department minister Alistair Burt to talk about the urgent need for a new mental health hospital to replace the city's ageing Bootham Park.

She said: "It was a positive meeting, and certainly did not get the feeling he will be turning his back on the matter."

Mental health is set to be a priority for the York Central MP in her newly confirmed seat on the Health Select Committee.

The Labour MP has also called on the Commons for proper funding for mental health services, by tabling an Early Day Motion calling for the services to be properly resourced financially and with trained professionals.

The motion, already signed by 29 MPs across different parties, says that one in four people are affected by mental health issues every year and services should be accessed at the earliest opportunity.

Ms Maskell said: “A recent survey from the mental health charity, Mind, shows that more than 40 per cent of people have to wait three months just to find out if they can have treatment and one in ten has to wait for a year - this is completely unsatisfactory."