News Release, 10 October 2006
The Mental Health Foundation commented today on last night’s channel four Dispatches programme which highlighted the poor state of some psychiatric inpatient wards in England.
Kathryn Hill, Director of Mental Health Programmes at the Mental Health Foundation said:
“The issues highlighted in the programme are not new. Many inpatient wards are the very antitheses of the therapeutic environment they are supposed to be. An overstretched workforce, the safety of both patients and staff, and a lack of qualified mental health nurses are problems that the mental health sector and government have known about for years. It is a grave issue that requires urgent action. Lives are being lost and people’s rights infringed through lack of resource and inaction.”
“A significant amount of investment is needed to address the problems prevalent on wards across the UK. There is a pressing need to increase numbers of qualified mental health nurses on inpatient units and to provide thorough training for all non-qualified staff. Consideration also needs to be given to the high numbers of agency staff which can compromise continuity of care.”
Moira Fraser, Head of Policy at the Mental Health Foundation said:
“The physical environment is of central importance. Mixed sex communal areas still exist in most hospitals and can be very distressing places for vulnerable patients. Single sex areas should mean single sex. What does it say about a system in which some of society’s most vulnerable people feel less safe in hospital than outside. It is time to put into action a zero tolerance policy to protect vulnerable patients from sexual abuse. This should be an environment where people can feel safe and protected. It is not acceptable that women, many of whom have histories of abuse, are in danger of being raped while in an environment that should ensure protection and safety when they need it most. The situation is scandalous and cannot be allowed to continue.”
ENDS
Read more about the Dispatches programme, 'Britain's Mental Health Scandal' (on the Channel 4 website)
Return to news releases 2006
Notes to editors
For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Mental Health Foundation is the leading UK charity working to improve services for both people with mental health problems and people with learning disabilities. It is the only charity to fund and work with both service users and providers and plays an important role in funding research and new approaches to prevention, treatment and care. The Foundation’s work includes allocating grants for research and community projects; contributing to the public debate; educating policy makers and healthcare professionals and striving to reduce the stigma attached to mental illness.
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