23.01.18
Major change required to combat rising mental health detentions
There is no single reason for the rise in detentions under the Mental Health Act which have been seen across England over a ten year period, and fixing the problem will require more than just changes to legislation.
These are the findings of a CQC report into the issue, released today, which said the same factors influencing the rise were also signs of a system under “considerable strain.”
Between 2005-6 and 2015-16 the regulator says there was a 40% rise in the number of detentions seen across the country, equivalent to nearly 20,000 detentions.
Among the reasons listed for the increase was a change in mental health service provision and bed management, leading to fewer spaces available for patients in health facilities and more likelihood for voluntary admissions to be in high demand.
However, the CQC said there was no evidence that health professionals had been misusing the Mental Health Act in any way, such as allowing patients in to hospital in order to guarantee a bed.
Explaining the findings, Dr Paul Lelliott, CQC deputy chief inspector of hospitals and lead for mental health, said: “Some of the factors at play in the rising rates of detention, both nationally and locally, are also signs of a healthcare system under considerable strain. Detentions under the Act can be influenced by gaps in support and provision in the system.
“It will take more than changes to primary legislation to tackle this fully and to ensure that people with serious mental health problems always get the safe, high-quality and compassionate care they deserve, when, where and how they need it.
“Changes to the law must happen alongside action to address the wider problems.”
Other issues which could be effecting the changes include demographic change and developments in policy across different services, as well as improved data reporting, meaning there is a better record of detentions than there was previously.
The news has prompted councils to call for greater mental health funding, which the Local Government Association (LGA) says has been cut by more than £500m for the period between 2015-16 and 2019-20.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “The increase in detentions is a concern and, as the CQC rightly notes, are indicative of a system that is under strain because of increased demand and reduced funding.
“Councils need adequate funding to enable them to fully play their essential part in the mental health system.”
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