Responding to the first of the Health Services Safety
Investigations Body's (HSSIB) investigations into mental health
inpatient settings and recommendations to ensure that therapeutic
care is a priority, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers,
Saffron Cordery said:
“Trusts are working hard to provide high quality mental health
services and to manage risks to patient safety against a backdrop
of soaring demand and resource pressures.
“This investigation lays bare however, how much more needs to be
done nationally and locally to provide therapeutic mental health
inpatient services for all patients across England.
"While there are improvements individual trusts and services
can make, HSSIB rightly recognises that there are a range of
issues beyond trusts' control, which hinders their ability
to provide care to the consistently high standards they aspire to
for their patients.
“Mental health services have faced relentless pressure in recent
years with demand for care far outstripping capacity. Significant
shortfalls in both the number and skill mix of staff needed to
provide effective mental health services continues to be a major
barrier to providing safe, therapeutic care.
“The poor condition of the mental health estate - much of which
is not fit for purpose – is a cause of concern. It's vital the
government takes urgent action to ensure all trusts have access
to sufficient capital funding to halt the deterioration of their
estate, eradicate the repairs backlog and provide high-quality
care in environments fit for the 21st century.”
