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Mental health care 'still flawed' | Mental health care 'still flawed' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Almost half of community mental health patients in England are unable to access any out-of-hours care, an NHS inspectorate survey suggests. | Almost half of community mental health patients in England are unable to access any out-of-hours care, an NHS inspectorate survey suggests. |
The Healthcare Commission also found one-third of patients are not told about side-effects of new medication. | The Healthcare Commission also found one-third of patients are not told about side-effects of new medication. |
Critics said the survey showed mental health patients were being treated as "second class citizens". | Critics said the survey showed mental health patients were being treated as "second class citizens". |
But ministers said the report had found steady improvements overall, and further progress was in the pipeline. | But ministers said the report had found steady improvements overall, and further progress was in the pipeline. |
These shocking findings are a reminder of how far we have to go before people with mental health problems are treated with respect and dignity by this government Norman LambLib Dem health spokesman | These shocking findings are a reminder of how far we have to go before people with mental health problems are treated with respect and dignity by this government Norman LambLib Dem health spokesman |
The Healthcare Commission found growing numbers of patients had confidence in mental health professionals, receive copies of their care plan and have a number to contact out-of-hours in a crisis situation. | The Healthcare Commission found growing numbers of patients had confidence in mental health professionals, receive copies of their care plan and have a number to contact out-of-hours in a crisis situation. |
Overall, most of the 14,000 respondents rated their care highly, with 78% describing it as "excellent", "very good" or "good". | Overall, most of the 14,000 respondents rated their care highly, with 78% describing it as "excellent", "very good" or "good". |
However, 24% said they were not involved in deciding what was in their care plan, and 16% said their diagnosis was not discussed with them. | However, 24% said they were not involved in deciding what was in their care plan, and 16% said their diagnosis was not discussed with them. |
In addition, of the 62% of service users who did not receive any counselling almost a third (32%) would have liked to. | In addition, of the 62% of service users who did not receive any counselling almost a third (32%) would have liked to. |
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | |
Almost half (45%) of service users had no access to a crisis number to call out-of-hours - although the proportion is rising. | Almost half (45%) of service users had no access to a crisis number to call out-of-hours - although the proportion is rising. |
A greater share of users report that they were involved in decisions about their medication - up from 40% in 2004 to 44% in 2008. | A greater share of users report that they were involved in decisions about their medication - up from 40% in 2004 to 44% in 2008. |
But almost a third (32%) of those who had been given new prescriptions over the previous year said that they were not told about possible side-effects. | But almost a third (32%) of those who had been given new prescriptions over the previous year said that they were not told about possible side-effects. |
Empowering patients | Empowering patients |
Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said: "The survey shows steady improvement in how service users rate key aspects of their care. | Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said: "The survey shows steady improvement in how service users rate key aspects of their care. |
"But more must be done to improve access to care, in particular to talking therapies and out-of-hours crisis care, and to involve people in decisions about their treatment." | "But more must be done to improve access to care, in particular to talking therapies and out-of-hours crisis care, and to involve people in decisions about their treatment." |
Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "Too often people with mental health problems are treated like second-class citizens. | Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat health spokesman, said: "Too often people with mental health problems are treated like second-class citizens. |
"There needs to be a change in the government's mindset. They talk about empowering patients, but the reality is often different, particularly for mental health. | "There needs to be a change in the government's mindset. They talk about empowering patients, but the reality is often different, particularly for mental health. |
"These shocking findings are a reminder of how far we have to go before people with mental health problems are treated with respect and dignity by this government." | "These shocking findings are a reminder of how far we have to go before people with mental health problems are treated with respect and dignity by this government." |
Emily Wooster, of the mental health charity Mind, said: "There are still significant numbers of people with long-term health needs who are not involved in planning their care, do not know who their care co-ordinator is, and don't even own a copy of their care plan. | Emily Wooster, of the mental health charity Mind, said: "There are still significant numbers of people with long-term health needs who are not involved in planning their care, do not know who their care co-ordinator is, and don't even own a copy of their care plan. |
"Co-ordinated, tailored support is vital for caring for people with enduring mental health needs, and these are failings in principles that underlie the whole system." | "Co-ordinated, tailored support is vital for caring for people with enduring mental health needs, and these are failings in principles that underlie the whole system." |
Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of the mental health charity Sane said: "Nine years ago, we were given guidelines which said that people with severe mental illness should be able to access appropriate services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. | |
"This report shows we still have a long way to go." | |
But Louis Appleby, national director of mental health services, said the results showed "hugely encouraging" improvements. | But Louis Appleby, national director of mental health services, said the results showed "hugely encouraging" improvements. |
However, he added: "We are still making improvements including giving people more choice in the way they are treated. | However, he added: "We are still making improvements including giving people more choice in the way they are treated. |
"Our programme of expanding psychological therapies, backed with £173m in funding by the third year, will help achieve this." | "Our programme of expanding psychological therapies, backed with £173m in funding by the third year, will help achieve this." |
Do you, or someone you know, have experience of the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. | Do you, or someone you know, have experience of the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. |