This Care Quality Commission report presents findings from CQC's programme of comprehensive inspections of specialist mental health services.
The report combines evidence from CQC inspections and findings from its role in monitoring the use of the Mental Health Act, as well as analysis of data from other sources.
Key findings
68% of core services provided by NHS trusts were found to be good, with 6% rated as outstanding. Among independent services, 76% were rated as good or outstanding (72% good and 4% outstanding).
Some services performed particularly well, especially community services for people with a learning disability or autism and community services for older people.
Thirty-nine per cent of NHS trusts were rated as requires improvement as at 31 May 2017, as did 23% of independent services. And a very small number were rated as inadequate: one NHS trust and three independent services.
The report identifies several areas of concern:
- Concerns about ‘locked rehabilitation wards’
- Great variation between wards in how frequently staff use restrictive practices and physical restraint to deescalate challenging behaviour
- The impact of staffing shortages
- Poor quality clinical information systems
- Commissioning of crisis care services
Disability Rights UK work with CQC
Disability Rights UK is involved in the ‘Tell Us About Your Care’ partnership with the CQC. Through this initiative disabled people have the opportunity to tell the regulator about their experiences of the health and social care services they use.