Thousands of mental health patients readmitted within a month in England

Thousands of patients are being readmitted to NHS mental health units in England every year soon after being discharged, raising concerns about poor care, bed shortages and increased risk of suicide.

Experts say being discharged prematurely can be upsetting, set back the patient’s chances of making a full recovery and be “disastrous” for their health.

Figures from NHS mental health trusts in England show that last year almost 5,000 people – children and adults – were readmitted to a mental health facility within a month of leaving.

The Labour MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan said the “alarming” data, which she obtained under freedom of information laws, showed too many patients were not receiving enough help to recover.

Allin-Khan said: “With record waiting lists and mental health beds in short supply, it is alarming that many patients are being discharged only to be readmitted within days. Every patient expects to receive full and appropriate mental health support, so it is concerning that in many cases patients are being discharged prematurely.

“Being discharged too soon can have a disastrous impact, stunting progress towards a full recovery, ultimately causing further damage to a patient’s mental health.”

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Source: The Guardian, 12 January 2024