Research released last month by mental health charity, Mind, reveals serious problems with the planning around discharging people from mental health hospitals.
The survey of over 1,000 people who had been in hospital in mental health crisis, found:
- One in three (38%) felt they were discharged from hospital sooner than they should have been.
- One in five (21%) received no notice that they were going home. One in three people (33%) in hospital for over a month were given under 48 hours’ notice that they were being discharged, or no notice at all.
- Two out of five (37%) said there was no plan for further care and support, contrary to guidelines.
- Less than half (44%) said managing their mental health or self-care was considered in plans for leaving hospital.
- Only half (51%) said their accommodation needs were considered in any plans, and under a third (29%) that money and benefits were considered.