NHS mental health discharge delays revealed

Mental health patients across the UK are spending years stranded in mental health units, figures show.

BBC Freedom of Information requests have shown that over the past two years at least 91 mental health patients have waited more than a year to be discharged, with at least seven patients waiting more than two years.

Additionally, at least 320 patients had to wait at least 100 days to be discharged.

In England, the longest delay recorded was 1,159 days at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. In Scotland the longest delay was 1,200 days at NHS Lothian, and in Wales Hywel Dda health board saw a delay of 975 days.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust had held a patient in 668 days after they should have been discharged; Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust had a 602 day delay; and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust delayed a patient from being discharged by 583 days.

Most mental health authorities across the UK saw at least one patient delayed by six months over the period.

Experts say a lack of suitable accommodation and wrangling over budgets are responsible for the delays.

A spokesperson for NHS England said: “The NHS is now increasing alternatives to hospital admissions.

"There is an extra £400 million for crisis resolution home treatment teams, as well as investment in community mental health services."