Dozens of mental health patients forced to stay on in secure units

HELEN MCARDLE

rehabilitation centre or community-based site.

This was also having a knock-on effect on patients who were ready to be downgraded from a mediumsecure setting to low-security ward but who faced delays because the beds in low-security sites were all full.

The report, by the Mental Welfare Commission, is the first Scotland-wide report in medium and low security forensic wards.

It stated: “In 24 low secure wards we heard there were 61 patients waiting to move to either a rehabilitation service or a community setting. We consider this requires investigation as these delays are potentially resulting in patients remaining in environments in which they are living lives that are excessively restricted; it is also preventing other patients in higher security moving on.”

The report identified variations between units in the use of restrictions for patients, while one in five patients said they felt unsafe, or partially unsafe, at times in the ward.

The findings were based on visits to all 46 wards across Scotland and interviews with 165 patients.

Inspectors found the majority were happy with their care and the staff who looked after them. Risk assessment, care planning, and access to advocacy was also good.

Alison Thomson, executive director (nursing) at the commission said: “This backlog in moving people to the least restrictive situation must be addressed.”

Meanwhile, the number of mental health officers in Scotland rose by 5.4 per cent year -on-year, to 722 in December 2016. However, two thirds of local authorities were still reporting shortages and an extra 36 full-time mental health officers are needed as a whole.