Laura Sharman 23 July 2020

Unsafe mental health wards are a 'disaster waiting to happen'

Old and overcrowded mental health wards are putting patients at risk, new research has warned today.

Research by the Royal College of Psychiatrists found a third of clinicians in England feel the quality of mental health buildings has compromised care for patients during the pandemic.

Nearly four out of ten psychiatrists (38%) also say the buildings are unsuitable for safely separating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

As well as increasing the risk of infection, the research also argued 'unsafe' buildings have contributed to the deterioration of patients' mental health.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is calling for £3.3bn of ring-fenced funding to improve mental health facilities at the next spending review.

Dr Michael Holland, medical director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Old and overcrowded buildings are simply not fit for infection control and the danger of cross infection is very high. Our patients are seriously mentally ill people who need to be treated in hospital, yet we were constantly having to make the judgement – where would it be safer for them to be? On a ward struggling to manage Covid cross infection or back at home where their mental state might get worse?

'Time and time again mental health has been completely left out of the hospital rebuilding programme. We can’t keep treating people with mental illness as second-class citizens.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner