A report finds that mental health patients are hurt by being sent to treatment centers far from their homes
Mental health patients in England are being harmed by being placed in psychiatric units far from their homes, according to a new report.
The report from the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) found that these distant placements have caused anxiety, PTSD, and, in some cases, suicide. Patients and their families shared how these experiences left them feeling angry, frustrated, and distrustful of the mental health system.
Neil Alexander, a senior investigator, said urgent changes are needed to prevent further harm. He explained that while inpatient care is sometimes necessary for safety, better solutions must be found.
“Unfortunately, our investigation found that moving patients far from home or back and forth between care settings can cause serious distress for them and their families.
The investigation highlighted that inappropriate out-of-area placements are part of bigger problems in health and social care, such as financial pressures, limited resources, long waits for social housing, and poor coordination between services.
The report focused on situations where patients were sent far away due to a lack of local space, not because they needed specialized care.
There was a national goal to reduce these placements, with the government aiming to eliminate them by 2021. However, the numbers are actually rising. In March 2023, there were 793 placements, increasing to almost 900 a year later.
Dr. Layla McCay, a policy director at the NHS Confederation, said mental health providers nearly ended adult out-of-area placements before the pandemic. But since then, rising demand has outpaced capacity, leading to an increase in placements.
She also noted that reducing these placements not only helps patients but also saves money. She expressed hope that upcoming plans, including the spending review and the NHS 10-year strategy, will tackle these issues.”
The HSSIB report found that sending patients to hospitals far from their local area could make their hospital stay longer and harm their well-being. Being far from family and friends can cause anxiety, and being detained and moved could lead to PTSD. The report also noted that hospitals often lose track of these patients, missing the chance to bring them back when a local bed becomes available.
Patients, families, and carers said their opinions and preferences were often ignored when deciding on out-of-area placements. They also pointed out that support from advocates was rarely offered.
National organizations explained that out-of-area placements might sometimes be necessary if no local beds are available, especially for someone in a mental health crisis. They added that these placements might be better than leaving someone unwell and at risk in their community. However, they suggested that earlier assessments for conditions like autism and ADHD could reduce the number of inappropriate hospital admissions.
One patient shared that they developed PTSD after being taken away at night in handcuffs without anyone explaining what was happening. Their parent said the child was treated “like a criminal.” Another patient said their family couldn’t afford to visit them due to the distance. “I really miss them, and it makes me sad,” they said.
Published: 21th November 2024
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