The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Mental health units in Scotland ‘must be safer’
Scottish Conservatives reveal more than 8,500 injuries recorded in a year
More than 8,500 incidents of injury to staff, patients and visitors were recorded in mental health units in Scotland in a year.
Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives show there were 8,519 incidents resulting in injury in facilities in 2017-18 - almost one an hour.
The figure is an improvement on 9,101 the year before and 8,721 in 2015-16.
The highest number of incidents was recorded in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (3,232), followed by NHS Lothian (1,679) and NHS Grampian (1,335).
The data, obtained through freedom of information requests, revealed incidents including assaults, accidents such as falls, trips and burns, and substance abuse.
A recent BBC documentary featured claims of a “toxic culture” at Carseview mental health centre in Dundee, with expatients claiming they were bullied and “pinned to the floor in agony” by staff attempting to restrain them. Some also alleged drug misuse was rife in the unit.
NHS Tayside staff were offered support before the programme aired.
The health board has also recently appointed Professor Keith Matthews as associate medical director for mental health services. He will have responsibility for redesigning and improving mental health services across the region.
Conservative mental health spokeswoman Annie Wells said more must be done to make mental health units safer for patients, staff and visitors.
She said: “Everyone accepts that mental health wards can be extremely challenging both for patients and staff and, as such, incidents involving injury are bound to occur.
“But at the same time, more clearly needs to be done to reduce the thousands which occur each year.
“All political parties agree that mental health deserves parity of esteem with physical health.
“But if that is to be the case, these units have to become safer for workers and patients, and clearly that will take a great deal of effort and focus.
“That requires the Scottish Government speaking to staff, experts and relevant charities to see what improvements can be made to reduce injuries in this vital part of our NHS.”
Mental health minister Clare Haughey said: “It is welcome that the number of injuries has fallen and we are absolutely clear that everyone should be able to feel safe whilst receiving treatment or working in our mental health services.
“As we work to further improve our mental health services, the experience of patients, their families and staff are key to reshaping treatment and support.”