On 22 October, the CQC published its latest inspection report for St Andrews Healthcare. It had a series of concerns with Older Person’s wards and rated them inadequate. The inspection report stated: ‘... restrictions regarding access to snacks, use of ordinary cutlery and access to alcohol  as described in the safeguarding quality statement within this report had been imposed without appropriate consent or rationale . We were concerned these decisions had not considered indi

The CQC has published its annual report on the findings from its inspections. It states: ‘The health and social care system is fragmented and under severe strain as it prepares for a major shift from hospital to neighbourhood care. There is some encouraging evidence of innovation, but community services need significant investment in both capacity and capability to deliver the transformative shift called for in the government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England.’ The report exa

The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) have launched an investigation into concerns around the safety of people in mental health crisis who come into contact with urgent and emergency care services. The HSSIB is an independent arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care. They investigate patient safety concerns across the NHS in England and in independent healthcare settings. The investigation has been launched due to a range of concerns incl

NHS England has just published a useful resource that considers 8 types of restrictive practice in care settings with links to further guidance for each type of restraint/ restriction. It is helpful for many staff groups to consider in their assessments. It is of particular use for BIAs undertaking DoLS assessments as a framework to identify restrictions that lead to a deprivation of liberty and whether they are proportionate. Although designed for mental health in-patient un

Click here to book: https://www.edgetraining.org.uk/event-details/new-amhp-conference-16-january-2026 Edge Training run a range of courses on health and social care law. Our commissioned courses can be viewed HERE  - if you would like to enquire about commissioning us please email  admin@edgetraining.org.uk  or call 07825 731139. Our ticketed Events can be viewed and booked HERE

The Mental Health Act is often thought of as a law that applies within a hospital setting. Whilst that is true for some of the more significant powers, some elements of the Act apply in the community. This easily accessible chart covering discharge options is from the book Working with the Mental Health Act  . The chart is free to download from our website. To view other free pages from the same book, please visit our Mental Health Act Resources page on the Edge  website . Y

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has recently produced a report that: ‘...identifies significant gaps in the care of individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health (CoSUM) disorders within UK health systems. People affected by CoSUM disorders – particularly those from vulnerable or marginalised backgrounds, often experience poorer outcomes than individuals with either condition alone, yet they make up a large proportion of those accessing mental health and su

The Court of Protection has recently published a case involving a 32 year old woman with a learning disability living in self-contained flat as part of a supported living placement. She has a relatively low level of direct support (3 hours a day) and works two days a week. It was agreed she lacked mental capacity for contact with others and the case then considers whether she has mental capacity to sexual relations and marriage/civil partnership. The case provides a helpful s

Approved Mental Health Professionals (AMHPs) in England and Wales reportedly face significant stress, burnout, and moral distress due to traumatic work, conflicting pressures, and insufficient support.  Read more about this AMHP stress and burnout in Edge Trainer Dr Jill Hemmington's articles Approved Mental Health Professionals: Teamwork, ‘Safety Nets’ and ‘Buckling Under’  and Approved Mental Health Professionals’ Experiences of Moral Distress: ‘Who Are we For’? Jill is ru

A recent inspection report from the CQC covering nine mental health wards for older people at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust found a series of concerns including the use of the Mental Capacity Act. Inspectors found:   ‘Where records of capacity assessments had been made,...some of these lacked detail and so it was not possible to see whether the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act had been complied with..’  ‘...records of best interests' decision making were mostly eit

A residential substance misuse rehab service has recently been rated inadequate by the CQC and put into ‘special measures’ after inspectors found 30 breaches of CQC regulations.  One of the reasons for the inadequate rating included the lack of understanding and training of staff on the Mental Capacity Act and its application for people involved in substance misuse. The inspection report stated: ‘Most staff had a limited knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act

CQC inspectors are now regularly checking whether conditions attached to DoLS are being followed by care homes. A recent example was published on 15 August for Rose Villa nursing home. The home was rated inadequate and one of the reasons given was: ‘Where people had conditions recorded in their authorisation we could not find evidence these conditions had been actioned where required.’  The inspection was triggered ‘... in response to information we had received about the se

From 17 November , the fee to register a lasting power of attorney (LPA) will rise from £82  to £92 . The change applies unless an...

A recent coroners report has called into question the 'Right care, right person' approach to support people with mental health problems...

The Office of the Public Guardian has recently published its annual report. It provides a range of information on the work of the OPG...

A useful report has been published by the law firm DAC Beachcroft analysing prevention of future death reports by Coroners during 2024....