A lack of suitable accommodation within the community is a key reason why autistic people and people with a learning disability have been unnecessarily detained in hospitals, according to a newly released report.
According to the study, many patients are also placed far from home, some for years.
In addition, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) research says the underfunding of suitable local provision means children and young people with mental health needs face long waits for essential treatment.
Half a million wait for treatment
Entitled Monitoring the Mental Health Act in 2022/2023, the report highlights a record high of nearly half a million children and young people waiting to access or undergo mental health treatment in November 2023.
According to the latest statistics from NHS England, this number increased by almost 20,000 by January of this year.
These children are having to wait an average of 40 days from referral to treatment.
Deteriorating mental health
Chris Dzikiti is director of Mental Health at the Care Quality Commission. He said: “People with lived experience of being detained and mental health staff will be all too familiar with the issues laid out in this report.”
He added: “Half a million children are receiving or waiting for mental health care and are having to wait on average 40 days to access care, but often much longer – with many reporting a deterioration in their mental health while waiting and some attempting to take their own life.”
The report says many children receiving care are in the wrong hospital settings, such as adult wards or general children’s wards. This was adding to their distress.
The annual report looks at how healthcare providers use the Mental Health Act (MHA) in the treatment of people with mental health needs.
Conversations with 4,515 patients
The CQC produced it following conversations with 4,515 patients and 1,200 carers. The organisation also talked to people with experience of hospital detention.
It found there are insufficient staff and beds to treat people with mental health needs. This was leading to isolation, poorer quality of care, and reduced access to activities and therapy.
Lack of staff was also leading to an increased risk of inappropriate restraint, as well as abuse and violence to patients and staff.
Draft Mental Health Bill shelved
The draft Mental Health Bill included important amendments to the Mental Health Act 1983. It aimed to increase the safeguards for detained people.
Despite this recognition of the need for change, the last King’s speech did not mention the Bill. This means it will not be a UK Government priority and people will continue to lack better safeguards.
Related:
- Bill aims to stop hospital for autism
- New laws will target long-stay hospitals
- Long-stay hospitals ‘must close’
- Dismay at inaction over assessment units
- Scandal of decade-long hospital stays
- ‘Abject failure’ of hospital plan
- Huge surge in hospitals using restraint
- Social workers aim to cut hospital stays
- Still stuck in mental health hospitals
- Spotlight on hospital care
- Families fight detention ‘scandal’
Published: 15 May 2024
