Care plans fail Mental Health Act detainees too often, report finds

People detained under the Mental Health Act are not having their
care needs adequately assessed when they leave hospital, according
to a report launched today, writes Simeon
Brody.
 
The survey of nearly 300 people who had been detained twice over
three years, found that a third did not have a copy of their
previous discharge plan in their inpatient notes.
 
Only a quarter of service users were involved in writing their care
plan and less than half of plans included anything about the
person’s cultural, physical health, vocational or financial
needs.
 
The study, by the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health and the Mental
Health Act Commission, found that a fifth of people discharged were
readmitted within 90 days.
 
It calls for better monitoring of care planning, improved record
keeping and full service user involvement in writing and reviewing
care plans.
 
Report author Lesley Warner said the report identified good
practice as well as weaknesses, which should help others develop
effective care planning.
 
Back on Track from www.scmh.org.uk or 020 7827 8352.