Over-prescribing of psychiatric medicines in hospitals must stop
12 January 2007
Leading mental health charity Rethink today (January 12) called for an end to the shameful practice of over-prescribing of mental health medicines, following the publication of a Healthcare Commission report into medicines management.
The Healthcare Commission has published a national report on medicines management that finds up to one in three people in hospital are prescribed more than maximum recommended doses. Forty two (out of 83) mental health trusts volunteered to take part in this review.
Rethink’s chief executive Paul Jenkins said: “The Healthcare Commission has once again highlighted a shocking over-prescription of powerful medicines to people in hospital experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Up to one in three people are being prescribed above maximum recommended doses of medicines that can have serious and long-term side effects. As well as defying national guidance, this over-prescription actually delays successful discharge in many cases.
“The National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued statutory guidance as long ago as 2002 on the best use of medicines for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is shameful that so many trusts have failed to properly implement it four years on. Everyone has the right to the best evidence-based care, but it is unacceptable that people experiencing a mental health crisis can still be treated as second class citizens.”
The Healthcare Commission has published a national report on medicines management that finds up to one in three people in hospital are prescribed more than maximum recommended doses. Forty two (out of 83) mental health trusts volunteered to take part in this review.
Rethink’s chief executive Paul Jenkins said: “The Healthcare Commission has once again highlighted a shocking over-prescription of powerful medicines to people in hospital experiencing a mental health crisis.
“Up to one in three people are being prescribed above maximum recommended doses of medicines that can have serious and long-term side effects. As well as defying national guidance, this over-prescription actually delays successful discharge in many cases.
“The National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued statutory guidance as long ago as 2002 on the best use of medicines for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is shameful that so many trusts have failed to properly implement it four years on. Everyone has the right to the best evidence-based care, but it is unacceptable that people experiencing a mental health crisis can still be treated as second class citizens.”
Notes to editors
For more information contact:
Liz Nightingale, Media Volunteers Manager: tel 020 7330 9112, mobile 07870 204583
or
Alita Howe, Media Officer: tel 020 7330 9149, mobile 07918 660760
About Rethink
Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. We aim to provide hope and empowerment through effective services and support to all those who need us and campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding. For further information on the charity continue to browse this site or call 0845 456 0455. To order mental health publications and products, visit www.mentalhealthshop.org.
