CQC reveals rise in Mental Health Act detentions, community treatment orders
The number of people detained under the Mental Health Act increased by 5% in 2011/12 to 48,631, the Care Quality Commission has revealed.
The number of community treatment orders meanwhile rose 10% to 4,220.
The Mental Health Act Annual Report 2011/12 also revealed that services were under increasing pressure, especially in regards to the provision of Approved Mental Health Professionals.
Other areas showing evidence of pressure on services were transport to hospital wards, the increased demand for beds, increased workloads and access to psychological therapies.
Other findings from the report included:
- There was some overall improvement but most of the concerns highlighted in previous reports remained, particularly in respect of care planning, patient involvement and consent to treatment;
- There was a significant gap between the realities the CQC is observing and the ambitions of the national mental health policy, No Health without Mental Health;
- The CQC is concerned that cultures may persist where control and containment are prioritised over the treatment and support of individuals. “In this kind of culture, ‘blanket rules’ can become institutionalised.” On one in five visits, the CQC expressed concern about the de facto detention of patients who were voluntary rather than compulsory patients;
- On average, 10% of all detained patients with a First-tier Tribunal (Mental Health) hearing were discharged by that tribunal in 2011/12. However, within this average there was very wide variation between the different types of detention.
The watchdog urged mental health services to do more to ensure that the care they provide to patients in hospitals is based on individual needs.
It found that 15% of people receiving care under the Act were not being involved in the decisions made about their care.
The CQC cited one visit where one of its commissioners discovered that none of the patients interviewed knew what was in their care plan.
Shortcomings were also identified in the provision of information about being discharged from hospital, including what patients had to do to prove they could be discharged.
The watchdog emphasised that commissioners had seen examples of hospitals providing good care and treatment to patients.
David Behan, Chief Executive of the CQC, said: “People who need treatment in hospital for their mental health should have care and support to help them recover.
“Some hospitals are doing a very good job in treating people with dignity and respect – so we know it’s possible. However CQC is concerned that some hospitals have allowed cultures to develop where control and containment are prioritised over treatment and care.
“We will be making mental health a high priority this year and the information gained through our Mental Health Act visits and from other strategic partners will direct our inspection work. Where we witness poor and unacceptable care we will use all the powers that we have to ensure that these practices change.”
A copy of the report can be viewed here.
Philip Hoult