Number of NHS mental health beds down by 25% since 2010, analysis shows
Exclusive: Labour says ‘shocking’ cuts are lengthening waiting times for most serious illnesses even as level of demand increases
The number of consultant-led mental health beds fell from 23,447 in 2010-11 to 17,610 in 2020-21. Photograph: Alamy
The number of consultant-led mental health beds fell from 23,447 in 2010-11 to 17,610 in 2020-21. Photograph: Alamy
Mon 5 Jul 2021 01.00 EDT
The number of beds in NHS mental health hospitals has fallen by a quarter since 2010, forcing more patients who are seriously ill to be taken far away from home in order to receive treatment, Labour has revealed.
Mental health nurses demand end to delays to new patient restraint law
Houses of Parliament
New legislation that seeks to end the inappropriate use of physical force against mental health patients must be implemented without further delay, a leading nurse has warned.
Prompted by the death of Olaseni Lewis, a 23-year-old Black man, Seni’s Law received royal assent in November 2018 but has still not been brought into force.
“The government absolutely must make this a priority, because enough is enough
Evri Anagnostara
The government said the Covid-19 pandemic had meant the work on rolling out the legislation – officially called the Mental Health Units (Use of Force) Act 2018 – had to be paused but this had now been resumed.
Analysis: How mental health law reforms could affect nurses
As major reforms to mental health legislation have been unveiled,
Nursing Times has spoken to nurse leaders to get their views on the proposals and the implications they have for the profession.
The government published a new white paper in January outlining suggested changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) that seek to give patients more control over their care and treatment.
The white paper paves the way for the introduction of a new mental health bill next year.
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As part of the plans, a higher threshold would be introduced for being able to detain someone under the act, in the hope that more people will be able to get the help they need outside of hospital.