Mental health crisis care: legislative challenges in Emergency Departments (ED)
- May 27
- 1 min read
Investigation report: 1 of 2 from the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB)
This report confirms many of the issues already raised by professional groups such as the AMHP Leads network and mirrored in Coroners Prevention of Future Deaths Reports and Ombudsman complaints.
Whilst acknowledging that ED is the right place for many mental health emergencies, the report above considers the legal, policy and safety gaps in the care of people in ED in mental health crisis. Concerns are raised regarding lengthy stays in ED waiting for an admission to a psychiatric hospital bed ( with those with mental health problems twice as likely as others to remain in ED for more than 12 hours)
The report recommendations include that the Department of Health and Social Care urgently reviews the current legal framework and legislative gaps whilst people are waiting in ED.
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Such an important discussion on improving mental health crisis care in Emergency Departments. Addressing system challenges is vital, just as resolving a medical bill on collections helps reduce stress. Thanks for highlighting this critical healthcare issue.