RCN responds to Healthcare Commission’s report on acute mental health services
Published: 23 July 2008
Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
"This report shows that new services developed in the community are effective and show a general improvement in mental health care. However, a substantial number of people still use inpatient services and these are not as good as they could be.
"Acute mental health services need to do more than just contain individuals, they need to provide healthcare workers with the resources required to ensure that care environments are safe and supportive. Mental health nurses are committed to delivering high quality care, but decision makers need to ensure that nurses are given plenty of opportunities to train and develop their skills, so that mental health care is of the highest quality across the country.
"Whilst patients generally value their experience in acute mental health, the Commission points out that these can be tough places to work with worrying levels of assaults on staff. Mental health nurses are committed to improving care, but need to be recognised for the hard work they do and the knowledge and experience they can offer in the pursuit of high quality services in every part of the country."
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Notes to Editors
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Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.