A troubling pattern has emerged in NHS mental health units in England, with thousands of patients being readmitted shortly after their discharge, raising concerns about the quality of care, bed shortages, and an increased risk of suicide.
Premature discharges, according to experts, can be detrimental to patients’ well-being, potentially hindering their chances of a full recovery. Recent data from NHS mental health trusts in England indicates that nearly 5,000 individuals, encompassing both children and adults, were readmitted within a month of leaving mental health facilities last year.
The data, obtained by Labour MP Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan through freedom of information laws, highlights a significant issue in the mental health care system. Dr. Allin-Khan expressed alarm at the findings, emphasizing that the data points to a deficiency in providing adequate support to patients in their recovery journey.
In the 2022-23 period, responses obtained by Allin-Khan revealed that 3,381 patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge by 35 out of 54 specialist mental health trusts in England. Extrapolating this data to all 54 trusts suggests an estimated 4,927 readmissions within a month. Additionally, 1,972 people were readmitted within a week by 36 trusts, an occurrence deemed unacceptable by NHS mental health services.
Dr. Allin-Khan voiced her concern, noting the record waiting lists and shortage of mental health beds. She highlighted the alarming trend of patients being discharged only to return within days, stating that premature discharge could have disastrous consequences, impeding progress toward full recovery and causing further harm to mental health.
While the figures show a decline in both seven- and 30-day readmissions, mental health experts stress the potential damage caused by any early return to the hospital, especially for patients in a fragile mental state.
Mersey Care trust recorded the highest number of 30-day readmissions, followed by East London and Sussex Partnership trusts. Similarly, the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey trusts had the highest number of seven-day readmissions.
Marjorie Wallace, CEO of the mental health charity Sane, expressed shock at the figures, attributing many readmissions to inadequate support from community-based mental health teams post-discharge. Insufficient support, she emphasized, could lead to tragic outcomes, including suicides.
The decline in seven- and 30-day readmissions was welcomed by Andy Bell, CEO of the Centre for Mental Health thinktank. However, he highlighted the distressing experience of returning to the hospital soon after discharge, emphasizing the need for continued efforts to address this issue.
Despite the declining numbers, the underlying concern remains, and the mental health community urges a comprehensive approach to ensure patients receive the support they need post-discharge. The declining number of mental health beds over the past three decades is a pressing issue that demands attention and solutions to provide optimal care for those in need.
NHS England disputed the extrapolation of data to all 54 trusts, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to enhance mental health services under the NHS long-term plan. The spokesperson acknowledged the need for appropriate discharge times and outlined a significant increase in funding for mental health services, including transformative measures for community mental health services.
