Commenting on the Healthcare Commission’s report ‘The pathway to recovery: A review of NHS acute inpatient mental health services’, Emily Wooster, Policy Officer at mental health charity Mind said:

“While we are encouraged to see that the Healthcare Commission has identified a number of high performing trusts, we are deeply concerned that nearly one in four patients are still being treated by trusts rated as ‘weak’. The best performing trusts were those that provided a therapeutic environment and engaged patients in meaningful activities - these things shouldn’t be the preserve of our best hospitals, but should be absolutely fundamental to mental health care across the board.

“It is additionally alarming that 50% of patients have no say in what is included in their care plan or the treatment they receive. At a day when the government is demanding increased involvement and greater personalised care, that represents a failing that not only opts patients out of designing the care that is best for them, but leaves them in the dark about what treatment they are receiving, and what to expect when they leave hospital.

“And yet again, we are confronted with more evidence that some mental health wards can be hostile and unsafe. No one should be expected to tolerate being housed in an environment

where they feel threatened and at risk, let alone be treated in such an environment at a day of utter vulnerability and need. Action on that issue is distant overdue - that shouldn’t be too much to ask.”

Notes:

Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.

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Original post by Mallows