Rethink Mental Illness: “It’s absolutely shocking that people are being sectioned unnecessarily”
Finding that mental health patients are being sectioned unnecessarily, ‘shocking’ says charity
A health committee report published today, says mental health patients are being sectioned unnecessarily, just so they can get access to a hospital bed.
In response, Paul Jenkins, CEO of the charity Rethink Mental Illness said:
“It’s absolutely shocking that people are being sectioned unnecessarily, just so they can get access to the treatment they are entitled to. Being sectioned, although sometimes necessary, can be extremely distressing and should only be used as a last resort. Treatment is much less likely to work if it is imposed on patients against their wishes. Health professionals should be aiming to build a trusting partnership with their patients and to take away their liberty unnecessarily like this, completely undermines that trust.
“What’s just as worrying is that when people do finally get into hospital, it can make them worse rather than better.
“Our Schizophrenia Commission last year heard horrific accounts of people being treated without respect, in poorly funded, substandard environments, by staff under pressure. Against this backdrop, it’s unsurprising that patients increasingly don’t want to go back, which means sectioning is on the rise. We know some wards are getting it right, but ‘some’ isn’t enough.
“We should all feel confident that if we, or someone we love, needed treatment for a mental illness, they would receive high quality care and treatment when they need it. Sadly, that isn’t the reality.
“Government ministers have said many times that they want to put physical and mental health on an equal footing, but so far the reality on the ground is not reflecting that rhetoric.
“Just 13% of the NHS budget goes towards treating mental health, even though it accounts for 23% of the disease burden in this country. As NHS bosses try to find savings, we’re worried that mental health services, which are already chronically under-funded, will be squeezed to breaking point.”
ENDS
For more information, contact Rachel Whitehead, News and Media Manager for Rethink Mental Illness on 0207 840 3138 or email rachel.whitehead@rethink.org
For information about the Health Committee report, contact Jessica Bridges Palmer 07917 488 489 bridgespalmerj@parliament.uk
Notes to editors
Rethink Mental Illness is a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness.
For 40 years we have brought people together to support each other. We run services and support groups that change people’s lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness.
We directly support almost 60,000 people every year across England to get through crises, to live independently and to realise they are not alone.
We give information and advice to 500,000 more and we change policy for millions.
For more information go to www.rethink.org
Rachel Whitehead
News and Media Manager, Rethink Mental Illness
0207 840 3138
Tweet me! @Rachel_Rethink
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