Responding to a new report from England’s Health Ombudsman on the
safety of mental health patients when they leave inpatient
services, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS
Providers said:
“This report sheds light on the significant issues facing
mental health patients leaving hospital.
“Clearly, there is more that trusts can do to improve how
people with mental health conditions are discharged from hospital
and supported in the community.
“Listening to service users as well as their families and
carers is vital to making much-needed improvements.
“However, to really get to the root of the problem, we need to
ensure mental health services – and wider services that people
with mental health conditions rely on – are adequately funded and
supported over the long term.
“Investing in staff and the tools they need, as well as
community-based services, would help people leave hospital
safely, when ready, and ensure they are better supported at
home.
“Focusing on these areas would also enable people to get
help sooner, which could stop some from needing hospital care in
the first place.
“Longstanding structural issues in mental health services must be
addressed, alongside trusts making changes that are in their
gift, to ensure everyone gets the support they deserve.”
