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Showing results for tags 'Mental health'.
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Content ArticleMental health is an important component of individual well-being and social participation. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) between one in six and one in five people experience a mental health problem in any given year and an estimated one in two people experience a mental health problem in their lifetime. There is a need to measure patients’ experience of mental health care delivery and effects of mental health treatment approaches. Patients are in a unique position to contribute to the quality of health care since they are the only ones who experience the whole episode of care from primary care in communities through hospital care to rehabilitation and follow up in general practice. Health professionals in contrast experience only a snap shot of the entire patient’s journey in the health care system. PREMs ((patient-reported experience measures) and PROMs (patient-reported outcomes measures) are means to assure that the patient voice in health care will be heard and institutionalised. This supplement focuses on how to include the patient voice in mental health, in terms of PREMs and PROMs.
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Content ArticleThere are an estimated 363,000 adults experiencing multiple disadvantage in England—they may be experiencing a combination of homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system. The Changing Futures programme works in partnership in local areas and across government to test innovative approaches and drive lasting change across the whole system, in order to provide better outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage. This prospectus provides information for partnerships interested in submitting an expressions of interest to be part of the Changing Futures programme.
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News Article
‘Shocking’ A&E with ‘police everywhere you look’ must be solved, says director
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
A former national director has expressed her shock at visiting an accident and emergency department struggling with record numbers of mental health patients accompanied by police officers, and warned the issue needs an “absolute solution” from the area’s mental health trusts. Kathy McLean, a non-executive director at Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, and previously NHS Improvement’s medical director, told a board meeting last week there were “police officers everywhere you looked” at the accident and emergency at King George Hospital in Ilford, which had just experienced its third consecutive record month for mental health referrals. While she recognised nearby mental health trusts North East London Foundation Trust and East London FT were “working hard”, she added: “This is not our problem, it is their problem that we’ve now got, and it’s not right for [patients], nor is it right for other people attending the emergency departments. “I’ve been to more emergency departments than most people in the country and I was shocked, everywhere you looked there was a police officer… This now needs an absolute solution. If this was ambulances sitting outside our ED, people would be saying, you’ve got to sort it.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 14 July 2023 -
News ArticleStaff fell asleep while on duty at a mental health trust, inspectors found. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said it was "very disappointed" to find patient safety being affected by the same issues it had seen previously. It said on acute wards for adults of working age and psychiatric intensive care units, five patients described staff falling asleep at night. Despite CCTV being available, managers told the CQC they could not always immediately prove staff had been sleeping as accessing the pictures could take up to a fortnight. The CQC report added trust data from June to December 2022 recorded 20 incidents of staff falling asleep while on duty but no action was taken because the video evidence had not been viewed. Rob Assall, the CQC's director of operations in London and the East of England, said: "When we inspected the trust, we were very disappointed to find people's safety being affected by many of the same issues we told the trust about at previous inspections. "This is because leaders weren't always creating a culture of learning across all levels of the organisation, meaning they didn't ensure people's care was continuously improving or that they were learning from events to ensure they didn't happen again." Read full story Source: BBC News, 12 July 2023
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Content Article
The King's Fund: Activity in the NHS (19 June 2023)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Data and insight
Over the past 10 years, it has often been stated that the NHS treats more than a million people every 36 hours, but is that still true? Here, the King's Fund analyse NHS activity (eg, calls, appointments, attendances and admissions) and explore some of the underlying trends that lie behind these headline statistics. Following the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, NHS activity has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels. -
Event
Deprivation of liberty safeguards: Moving forward
Sam posted an event in Community Calendar
The Department of Health and Social Care announced on the 5th April 2023 that the implementation of the Liberty Protection Safeguards will be delayed until at least the next general election (anticipated to be in Autumn 2024). With the delay to the Liberty Protection Safeguards it is more important than ever to ensure the existing scheme of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) works, that providers understand the application of Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and interaction with the Mental Capacity Act. It has been widely recognised that there are number of challenges associated with the current DoLS system, particularly in light of the increases in the number of DoLS applications – which have been seen across England and Wales. In light of the UK Government decision, we will need to consider how we strengthen the current DoLS system in order to continue to protect and promote the human rights of those people who lack mental capacity. For further information and to book your place visit https://www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/conferences-masterclasses/liberty-protection-safeguards-mca or email frida@hc-uk.org.uk. hub members receive 20% off. Email info@pslhub.org for discount code. Follow the conference on Twitter @HCUK_Clare #LPS2023 -
Content ArticleThis service model brings together the good practice taking place in local areas, and that which has previously been described for this group of people. It recognises that improvements are typically underpinned by visionary leadership, a focus on human rights based approaches, workforce development, co-production and a preparedness to reflect and learn. It aims to support commissioners across health and social care to work together to commission the range of services and support required to meet the needs of this diverse group.
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Content Article
Mental Capacity and Mental Health Legislation
Patient_Safety_Learning posted an article in Consent and privacy
This guide, published by Patient, outlines some of the key elements of mental capacity and mental health legislation including: General principles of consent Emergency treatment Best interests Adults who are not competent to give consent Advance care planning Mental Health Act relevant to consent Section 57: Treatment requiring consent and a second opinion. -
News Article
Study finds rise in psychological distress in young adults
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
There has been a rise in the number of young adults in England who report feelings of severe distress, according to a new survey. The study found one in five 18 to 24-year-olds said they experienced severe distress at the end of 2022, compared to around one in seven in 2021. The research suggested reports of severe distress rose across all age groups, except for those over 65. Experts have pointed to the pandemic, cost of living and healthcare crisis. Researchers used a point-based score during telephone interviews to assess severe distress for the survey. People had not necessarily sought clinical help or a diagnosis at this point. The research team, including academics from King's College London and University College London (UCL), say the rise in reports needs to be urgently addressed. Read full story Source: BBC News, 7 July 2023 -
Content ArticleA study from Jackson et al. looked at how the prevalence of psychological distress in the adult population of England has changed since 2020. The study found that the proportion reporting any psychological distress was similar in December 2022 to that in April 2020 (an extremely difficult and uncertain moment of the COVID-19 pandemic), but the proportion reporting severe distress was 46% higher. These findings provide evidence of a growing mental health crisis in England and underscore an urgent need to address its cause and to adequately fund mental health services.
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News Article
‘Insulting’ cut to staff support services confirmed by NHSE
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
NHS England has issued a ‘tokenistic’ and ‘insulting’ funding settlement for staff mental health and wellbeing hubs this year, which is not enough to provide proper support, HSJ has been told. A letter sent by NHSE to its regional directors, and seen by HSJ, confirmed that the hubs have been allocated just £2.3m for 2023-24. NHSE says the funding, which is far below current running costs, must be spent within the financial year. It appears to confirm fears that many of the 40 hubs will need to be shut, if they are not funded locally. One hub lead said: “Day in, day out, we work with colleagues across the NHS who are struggling with a wide range of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to burnout and dealing with the impacts of moral injury. “Staff are exhausted, overwhelmed by their workload and struggling to give their patients the care they know they deserve. “I urge ministers to speak directly to hub leads to find out exactly what the issues are on the ground, and how the hubs are helping staff who are working at their limits, while supporting staff retention.” Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 6 July 2023 -
Content Article
Using patient stories to reflect on care (2016)
Patient Safety Learning posted an article in Patient stories
There is an increasing emphasis on, and commitment to, using patient narratives in nursing practice and nurse education. Listening to the voices of those receiving our care is just the beginning. The challenge is to use these narratives to improve practice and the patient experience. This seven-part series in the Nursing Times presents narratives from three fields of nursing: adult, mental health and learning disability. Each article includes opportunities to reflect on the stories presented and consider their implications for practice. -
Content ArticleThe Professional Standards Authority (PSA) commissioned this research to help inform a consistent and appropriate approach by the regulators and registers towards the various types of discrimination in health and care. The research was undertaken to help PSA understand better the views of the public and service users on the following key questions: What constitutes discriminatory behaviour in the context of health and care? What impact discriminatory behaviour may have on both public safety and confidence? Through looking at these two areas, the research also drew out views from participants on how health and care professional regulators should respond to different types of discriminatory behaviour.
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News Article
PTSD affects 300,000 young people in England and Wales, Channel 4 finds
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
Thousands of young people are living with post-traumatic stress disorder, with most cases going untreated, a Channel 4 documentary has revealed. About 311,000 16- to 24-year-olds in England and Wales have PTSD, with most cases linked to personal assault and violence, according to figures estimated for the show. Low awareness of the symptoms and the difficulty of diagnosing PTSD means that 70% of cases go untreated. If the NHS offered more early intervention therapy, it could save £2.4bn in taxpayer money, according to Channel 4’s analysis of research by King’s College London and Office for National Statistics data. “When untreated, PTSD – it becomes a chronic condition. It becomes highly disabling. People’s lives can be fundamentally changed,” said Dr Michael Duffy, a psychological trauma specialist at Queen’s University Belfast, who features on the show. He added that it could be more common in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 4 July 2023 -
Content ArticleFounded by psychotherapist Rebecca Howard, ShinyMind's story has been a journey of creating an evidence-based mental health and wellbeing resource that people can trust to help them think well, feel well and be well.Rebecca believes everyone has the right to good mental health and access to support whenever they need it – and so ShinyMind’s journey began, to empower people, eradicate stigma and help as many people as we can shine their brightest.
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Content ArticleThis opinion piece in the Journal of Eating Disorders looks at the use of the diagnosis 'terminal anorexia' and its impact on people with anorexia nervosa, their families and the healthcare professionals working with them. Alykhan Asaria offers a lived-experience perspective on how the term may cause distress and harm to patients, feeding the narrative power of an individual's eating disorder. The article also talks about how the term can remove hope from patients, families and clinicians, and how it might set a dangerous precedent in paving the way for people with other mental health conditions to be labelled 'terminal'.
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News ArticleThe government’s national review of mental health hospitals must urgently address the “lack of sympathy and compassion” towards patients if safety is to improve, the health ombudsman has said. Rob Berhens said the investigation, prompted by The Independent’s reporting on deaths and abuse of vulnerable patients, must look at three key issues, including a lack of empathy for those with mental health challenges, a lack of resources and poor working conditions for staff. Health Secretary Steve Barclay announced last week that a new safety body, the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSIB), would look into the care of young people, examine staffing levels and scrutinise the quality of care within mental health units. Mr Berhens said: “I trust [HSIB] to be able to understand what are the key issues, they’re about the lack of sympathy and compassion for people who have mental health challenges, which to me is a human rights issue." Read full story Source: The Independent, 1 July 2023
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Content ArticleThis video made by Health Education England and the Restraint Reduction Network looks at the impact of inappropriately used restraint practices in mental health and learning disability services. Three people with lived experience of restraint discuss the impact it has had on their lives and why they are campaigning for change.
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Content ArticleAn evidence review into the scale of the prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal problem in England published by Public Health England (PHE) in 2019 called for support for patients experiencing withdrawal symptoms, including a national 24 hour helpline and associated website. These calls have since been echoed in a recent BBC Panorama episode and other media accounts, but despite the evidence reviews, media interest and public awareness, nothing has changed. This open letter to the Government published in the BMJ calls for specialist NHS services to support patients harmed by taking prescription medications. Signed by healthcare professionals, it highlights that there are still almost no NHS services to support patients who have been harmed by taking medicines as prescribed by their doctor, such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines. The signatories believe that the NHS has a clinical and moral obligation to help those who have been harmed by taking their medication as prescribed, and are urgently calling upon the UK Government to fund and implement withdrawal support services.
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Content ArticleOn the 23 January 2023 the Minister for Mental Health and Women’s Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield MP, announced the commencement of a rapid review into patient safety in mental health inpatient settings in England. The review Chair, Dr Geraldine Strathdee, was asked to consider how improvements could be made to the way that data and information is used in relation to patient safety in mental health inpatient care settings and pathways, including for people with a learning disability and autistic people. This report contains the findings of this review and an associated set of recommendations.
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Content ArticleThis is the transcript of an oral statement to the House of Commons by Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on improving safety in mental health in-patient services across England.
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News ArticleAn inquiry investigating deaths of mental health patients in Essex has been given extra powers, in a victory for campaigners. Health Secretary Steve Barclay told Parliament that the probe would be placed on a statutory footing. It means the inquiry can force witnesses to give evidence, including former staff who have previously worked for services within the county. Mr Barclay said he was committed to getting answers for the families. He told the Commons: "I hope today's announcement will come as some comfort to the brave families who have done so much to raise awareness." The Secretary of State added that under the new powers anyone refusing to give evidence could be fined. Melanie Leahy, whose son Matthew died while an inpatient at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford in 2012, is among those who have long campaigned for the inquiry to be upgraded. "Today's announcement marks the start of the next chapter in our mission to find out how our loved ones could be so badly failed by those who were meant to care for them," said Ms Leahy. "I welcome today's long overdue government announcement and I look forward to working with the inquiry team as they look to shape their terms of reference." Read full story Source: BBC News, 28 June 2023
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News ArticleToday it was announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care that the future Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) will undertake a series of investigations focused on mental health inpatient settings. The investigations will commence when HSSIB is formally established on 1 October 2023. The HSSIB will conduct investigations around: How providers learn from deaths in their care and use that learning to improve their services, including post-discharge. How young people with mental health needs are cared for in inpatient services and how their care could be improved. How out-of-area placements are handled. How to develop a safe, therapeutic staffing model for all mental health inpatient services. Rosie Benneyworth, Chief Investigator at HSIB, says: “We welcome the announcement by the Secretary of State and see this as a significant opportunity to use our expertise, and the wider remit that HSSIB will have, to improve safety for those being cared for in mental health inpatient settings across England. The evidence we have gathered through HSIB investigations has helped shed light on some of the wider challenges faced by patients with mental health needs, and the expertise we will carry through from HSIB to HSSIB will help us to further understand these concerns in inpatient settings, and contribute to a system level understanding of the challenges in providing care in mental health hospitals. “HSSIB will be able to look at inpatient mental health care in both the NHS and the independent sector and any evidence we gather during the investigations is given full protection from disclosure. It is crucial that those impacted by poor care and those working on the frontlines of the inpatient settings can share their experiences, reassured that HSSIB will use this information to improve care and not apportion blame or liability. “At HSIB we will begin conversations with our national partners across the system, as well as talking to staff, patients and families. This will ensure that when investigations are launched in October, we have identified and will address the most serious risks to mental health inpatients within these areas and will identify recommendations and other safety learning that will lead to changes in the safety culture and how safety is managed within mental health services.” Read full story Source: HSIB, 28 June 2023
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News Article
Hundreds died on same day as being discharged, trust review finds
Patient Safety Learning posted a news article in News
An independent review has raised concerns about a mental health trust’s reporting systems and has highlighted a significant number of patient deaths shortly after leaving the trust’s care, including almost 300 who died on the same day they were discharged. However, the review into how Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust collects, processes and reports mortality data made no conclusions on the number of avoidable deaths – the issue which had originally prompted the probe. Local NHS leaders argued the review’s purpose was focused on auditing the trust’s processes, and this had been delivered. But a local MP, Clive Lewis, accused it of “explicitly dodg[ing] the big questions”. The report, which looked at data from between April 2019 and October 2022, has however raised concerns about the number of patients dying soon after being discharged. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 28 June 2023 -
Content ArticleThis report examines the reporting of patient deaths at the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust (NSFT) between April 2019 and October 2022. It was undertaken by Grant Thornton on behalf of the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex and NHS Norfolk and Waveney integrated care boards at NSFT’s request.
