A programme is in place to help vulnerable adults

A report out on Tuesday commends staff and says progress has been made in the way help is given, but there is still room for improvement.

An inspection carried out by the Social Services Inspectorate in November 2002 evaluated national and local objectives in mental health services.

The overall response was that Cumbria's social services department has "promising prospects" and "serves most people well".

It was noted that an effective vulnerable adults policy was in place and that work with carers was excellent.

But the study also pointed out that services were not evenly distributed across the county and that many services were dictated by where patients lived.

The lack of sufficient 24 hour care was also criticised.

The report recommends these issues need to addressed and that some services, particularly for people who suffer from more than one illness, need to be improved.