NHS mental health survey reveals patients do not feel safe
The first official survey of NHS mental health has revealed a seriously high level of dissatisfaction with services, reports The Guardian.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the body responsible for regulating health and social care recently undertook a survey of 7,500 people recently discharged from 64 NHS trusts across the country. The questionnaire was given to those who have been in the hospital in the past six months after a stay of 48 hours minimum on a psychiatric ward.
The survey highlighted a vast range of discrepancies regarding safety, medication and therapy among other things. When questioned about safety only 45% stated they always felt safe, while 39% said they sometimes felt safe and 16% said they did not feel safe at all. Many patients felt unsatisfied with their care and treatment with most being denied “talking therapies” even though 52% said they wanted such treatment and only 29% actually received it.
A staggering 27% didn’t have their rights explained in a way they understood when they were sectioned under the Mental Health Act and only 44% of those with physical health problems felt they were dealt with fully and 22% said that not enough care was taken of their physical complaints.
These figures show dissatisfaction in a number of areas and it is important that they are all addressed in order to give the patients the best care possible. As the first survey of its kind it is essential that the NHS take these findings on board in effort to improve patient satisfaction and care.