Mental health patients ‘being let down’

Mental health patients are being let down on key aspects of hospital care, a survey has found.

The result of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) poll have sparked anger from mental health charities who have said more must be done to ensure patients are receiving the care they require.

One-third of respondents to the CQC survey said they were involved as much as they wanted to be when it comes to their needs being met, while less than half said they always feel safe on their wards.

A further 16 per cent said they do not feel safe at all.

Barbara Young, CQC chairman, said: “This survey shows us that there is considerable room for improvement in patients’ experiences of acute inpatient mental health services.”

Charity Rethink has said the government must renew its commitment to mental health investment in light of the CQC’s research and in particular because the figures showed one in four inpatients felt they were being “let down” when it came to treatment for mental health.