21 January 2010
In response to the publication of Count me in 2009, by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Simon-Lawton Smith said:
“It’s hugely disappointing that the picture provided by these reports remains pretty much the same year after year, despite the recognised need for something to be done to lower the rate of hospital admissions among black and minority ethnic groups.
“We must provide better community and early intervention services for these groups. This should help people stay well in the community. The CQC is right to call for health and social care to work with others such as the police and housing organisations.”
More research and targeted services needed
Mr Lawton-Smith added that more research and better targeting of services is needed if services are to be more effective:
“We need to better understand how individuals from black and white/black mixed communities end up in hospital in the first place. People from these groups are less likely to be referred by their GPs and community health teams and more likely to reach hospital after contact with the police. We need to find out why primary care and other local services are not reaching these groups and help them support vulnerable individuals better.
“We also need to look carefully at the role of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs), given that their introduction was partly justified on the basis that compulsory treatment in the community would reduce the overall hospitalisation rate. At the moment we just don’t know if this is the case.”
Notes to editors
The Count me in report 2009 is the fifth national census of the ethnicity of inpatients in the NHS and independnent mental health and learning disability services. See www.cqc.org.uk
For more information contact the Mental Health Foundation press office on 020 7803 1130/28 or email sloveland@mhf.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation (www.mentalhealth.org.uk) uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services. Registered Charity No: (England & Wales) 801130: (Scotland) SC 039714.
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