This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
NHS beds for mental health patients continue falling
New figures show that the number of hospital beds for people with acute mental health conditions has fallen by almost 30 per cent since 2009.
Despite the government reiterating that improving care for the mentally ill is now a top priority, the data shows that the number of beds for those with some of the most serious conditions has fallen from 26,448 in 2009 to 18,082 in the first quarter of this year. This strongly affects patients suffering from psychosis, serious depression leading to suicidal feelings and eating disorders.
To make the matter worse, the data, obtained by MP Dan Poulter through parliamentary answers, also shows significant falls in the number of mental health nurses working in the NHS from 46,155 to 39,358. Additionally, the number of doctors in specialist psychiatry training has also dropped from 3,187 in 2009 to 2,588 in the first quarter of this year.
Poulter said: “The reality on the ground is that there are ever fewer beds available for the patients who need them. This means that people who are very unwell, for example with psychosis or depression with suicidal ideation, are unable to access timely inpatient care. Eating disorders is another service where there is often a long wait for patients who need beds for urgent inpatient care. This is not safe for the patients.
“Mental health professionals work incredibly hard but we are under-resourced. Despite the need to expand services to meet the needs of patients, and to provide more support for people with mental illness in the community, there are simply not the resources available to do it.”
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