Over a quarter with mental health problems report poor care experience

By The Press Association21st October 2015News EnglandCare Quality Commission, Mental Health, News England, Vulnerable Adults

People with mental health problems do not always feel listened to or treated with dignity and respect, according to a new report.

A survey of more than 13,000 people by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) found more people reporting a poor experience with community mental health care compared with the previous year.

When people were asked to rate their overall experience of their community mental health care on a scale of 0 to 10, a higher percentage of people reported a poorer experience compared with the previous year.

Some 28% rated it as five or lower, compared with 25% in 2014.

The survey covers care for people with a range of conditions, from mild depression to psychosis, from community mental health services run by NHS trusts in England.

Some 96% of people said they knew how to contact the person in charge of organising their care, while 70% felt listened to by the person they saw, down from 73% in 2014.

Overall, 78% of people on long-term medication had had it reviewed, although 22% did not.

Some 73% also reported that they were “always” treated with dignity and respect.

Dr Paul Lelliott, deputy chief inspector of hospitals, who leads on mental health, said: “Overall it is disappointing that there has been no notable improvement from last year’s survey.

“In particular, the fact that over a quarter of people reported a poor experience of their care is worrying and must be acted on.

“Community mental health services play a vital role in supporting people with their mental health problems without needing to stay in hospital. It is imperative that the NHS gets this right.”

Shadow minister for mental health, Luciana Berger, said: “These latest findings reveal the gulf between what ministers say they are doing on mental health and what is happening on the ground.

“It is a credit to our NHS professionals that in some elements of care they have managed to ensure a positive experience for their patients. But more and more they are coming under unrealistic pressure to do more for less.”