RCN: Mental health services must learn from regulator report
Published: 21 July 2009
The Royal College of Nursing says that 'woefully low' staffing levels in mental health settings are unacceptable.
The comments come in response to a Care Quality Commission report which has found significant problems at a West London Mental Health NHS Trust. The watchdog says that patients were put at risk by a number of 'seriously flawed' systems and their investigation highlighted concerns relating to sub-standard buildings, not enough beds, poor physical health care, not enough staff and lack of staff training.
The RCN says that the report shows that patient care is compromised when staffing levels fall to an unacceptably low level. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter says:
"Unfortunately this report shows again what can happen to patient care when staffing levels become woefully low. When a quarter of jobs are left unfilled, leaving staff working 15 hour shifts, it simply becomes impossible to deliver the right level of care that patients need and deserve."
The trust says that action has begun to address some of the concerns raised since the investigation was carried out.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and adult social care in England. They inspect all health and adult social care services in England and protect the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act.
Further information
The report looked at high-secure, inpatient services at Broadmoor Hospital as well as community and other inpatient services in Hounslow, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham. The investigation found:
- the trust failed to properly investigate or report serious incidents
- the trust did not learn from previous incidents or implement all previous recommendations
- some buildings are not a safe environment for care
- wards at some sites were overcrowded
- people in secure services have limited access to primary care services
- there was a shortage of staff at many services and absence due to sickness was high. Attendance at mandatory training was extremely low.
Read more on the Care Quality Commission website.