Patient safety
A call for improvement
All too regularly we hear distressing stories of poor care in unsafe mental health hospitals including a lack of empathy from some staff, or harmful restraint and seclusion. Many people living with a mental illness say this comes from the imbalance of power between the patient and the system.
In 2023 the government released a report discussing the need for the voice of people in the care they receive, negative attitudes amongst staff, and the admin pressures affecting their time.
We welcomed their report, but there’s more they can do.
Five ways to improve inpatient safety
On the back of our response to the government, we recommended five urgent changes:
- Improve the mental health workforce.
- Prioritise reforming the Mental Health Act.
- Address the continuing rise in out-of-area placements.
- Work collaboratively with experts by experience.
- A change in attitude from policy makers.
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Staggering inequality
The use of restrictive practices, such as physical restraints, tranquilisation and seclusion, in mental health hospitals poses significant risks to patient safety and wellbeing. Appalling data from the NHS in 2022 revealed a disproportionate use of restrictive practices on Black or Black British people, reinforcing the impact of systemic racism that ultimately hampers recovery.
Read our response to this systemic racism Read our response to this systemic racism
