Mental health and learning difficulty services criticised by Healthcare Commission inspectors

Inspectors today criticised the standards of care, safety and access to treatment in mental health services across England and Wales.

In its annual State of Healthcare review, the Healthcare Commission found overcrowding and violence on mental health wards, poor joint working across health and social care and inadequate access to talking therapies.

The commission also reported “serious concerns” about the care provided to people with learning difficulties and said services did not always meet the changing needs of disabled children, care leavers or children with mental health problems.