Tyne and Wear patients with mental health issues 'badly let down' by NHS

Vulnerable patients with mental health conditions in Tyne and Wear are being badly let down by the NHS, causing them and their families needless suffering and distress, according to a Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report published today.

The Ombudsman has also found that NHS mental healthcare staff can lack the capacity, skills and training they need to do their job effectively, and do not always have the support they need to learn from mistakes.

Following an analysis of over 200 mental health complaints upheld by the Ombudsman, the report highlights common failings that are compromising patients’ safety and dignity.

Elizabeth from Newcastle asked to see a nurse before Christmas - three months on, she's still waiting.

She said:

"I'd like to see changes where the child is put first - because that's not putting my child first, that's not thinking 'Well, this lady has a little boy, who has needs and depends on his mother and she's only meeting his needs because of a family and friends support network'."

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Rob Behrens, said:

‘This report shows the harrowing impact that failings in mental healthcare can have on patients and their families.

‘Too many patients are not being treated with the dignity and respect they deserve and this is further compounded by poor complaint handling.’

The report’s findings provide fresh impetus to deliver on the recommendations set out in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health and reinforce conclusions made by the Care Quality Commission in its 2017 report.

The Ombudsman added: ‘The cases we have identified demonstrate the importance of maintaining momentum in improving mental health services, to ensure patients receive the safe, effective care they need and prevent the same mistakes happening to others.’

The Ombudsman will continue to closely monitor its casework and if mental health services are improving, there should be a reduction in the types of complaints in the report over the next few years.

Brian Dow, Director of External Affairs at Rethink Mental Illness, said:

‘This judicious report from the Ombudsman reflects what our supporters have been telling us for years: that our overstretched services are failing them time and time again. These findings underline the desperate need for reform and the sometimes devastating consequences of a struggling system. We do now have a blueprint for change but this will need drive and funding to achieve its aims, or we will continue to hear stories like these.

An NHS spokesperson said:

“This important report starkly and rightly recognises the scale of the challenge facing mental health services. It should be read and acted on by every part of the mental health service as over the next few years services expand, including for eating disorders, crisis care and psychosis. This will mean increased access, closer to home, to earlier and more effective treatment for greater numbers of people than ever before.”