Tag Archives: disability
England’s mental health services ‘in crisis’
The mental health service in England is in crisis and unsafe, says one of the country’s leading psychiatrists.
Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director of the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, spoke out as an investigation by BBC News and Community Care magazine reveals more than 1,500 mental health beds have closed in recent years.Many trusts have all their beds filled.
Care Minister Norman Lamb said the current situation was “unacceptable” and provision must improve.
While there was a drive to treat more people in the community, he said beds must be available when patients needed them.
System ‘inefficient, unsafe’
Care inspector could use hidden cameras
“Winterbourne View happened two-and-a-half to three years ago. Things should be happening now.”
The new inspections will determine whether services are caring and safeHidden cameras and mystery-shopper exercises may form part of a revamped inspection regime for care homes and domiciliary care in England next year.
New adult social care chief inspector Andrea Sutcliffe said she wanted to explore the role such techniques could play in uncovering abuse and neglect.
But she admitted their use would have to be balanced against the need for privacy and dignity in such settings.
The move will be considered ahead of the launch of a new system next year.
From next autumn, services will be given an Ofsted-style rating of outstanding, good, requires improvement or inadequate to mirror the system being rolled out for hospitals.
“Start Quote
Confidence in the regulation regime has been shaken, but we have turned a corner”
Norman Lamb Care and Support Minister
The new Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections will determine whether services are:
- safe
- caring
- effective
- well led
- responsive to people’s needs
Review disabled children's support, says commissioner
The government said that spending on disability benefits was higher than the EU average
Ministers are being urged to review care provided for children with disabilities following research into the adequacy of support for families.
Children’s commissioner for England Maggie Atkinson called the findings “heart-rending” and “disturbing”.
The report suggested some families were unable to afford basic necessities for “a dignified life”.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the report contained “a small sample, presenting a partial picture”.
The study, carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for the children’s commissioner, found evidence that poverty meant some disabled children were not living lives that met international human rights standards.
Ms Atkinson said the research findings were “not an easy read”.
