The King's Fund has published a paper exploring the pressures on services that make up the mental health system. Focusing on services for adults between the ages of 16 and 65, it examines these pressures in the context of actions by providers and commissioners.
Following the paper's publication, Dr Paul Lelliott, CQC's Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals said:
"It is never acceptable for people with mental health problems to be treated differently to those with physical health problems."
"Our report Right here, right now on crisis care, published in June, found some examples of good and effective crisis care – but also found that the quality of care experienced by a person in crisis can vary greatly depending on where they are and what help they require. Many people also experienced problems getting help when they needed it, and found that healthcare professionals sometimes lacked compassion and warmth when caring for people who are having a crisis.
"NHS trusts and commissioners need to learn from the services that are getting crisis care right and make sure that there is a greater focus on training people to look after those in crisis, no matter where they are or when they need help. The care they receive needs to be readily at hand, appropriate, caring and compassionate."