Legal News

NHS England has announced that it will be increasing the number of beds for young adults and children requiring mental health services by 50.

The increase in mental health beds for young patients is in response to a report, which highlights problems with access to NHS mental health services for young people in some areas of the country.

Many mental health trusts are struggling to maintain services while making stringent cuts to mental health budgets – some NHS trusts such as Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust are cutting their budgets by 20%.

The report identified particular problems with access to young people’s NHS mental health services in the southwest, Yorkshire and Humberside.

In York, there have been public protests against cuts in mental health budgets.

The NHS report also highlights the need for “broader engagement” with children and young adults, as well as their families and carers.

Patients were also being admitted to care “inappropriately”, especially in cases involving patients with other clinical needs, including patients who are deaf or who have other conditions such as autistic spectrum disorders.

The report also flags up poor access to services in some areas:

"There are geographical inequities in provision of services with some areas very poorly served …

“There needs to be a balance struck between need for a concentration of clinical expertise and a specific therapeutic environment – and the detrimental effect of long distance admissions."

The report is based on 100 case histories comprising a random sample group of mental health patients. The data reveals that on average one in six young mental health patients is required to travel more than 100 miles to access services.

Some units have been forced to close temporarily to new admissions as a result of a shortage in staff with appropriate skills. However, recruiting mental health staff was found to be a problem across England.

The Minister for Care and Support, Norman Lamb – who is also MP for north Norfolk – said that the current system of mental health care for children and young people was “too fragmented and pressurised”.

“To address this, we are taking immediate action by making more beds available – and appointing a taskforce to improve commissioning and create more joined-up services for children and young people,” said Mr Lamb.

“I am absolutely determined to get this right, so that children everywhere get high-quality care," he added.

The chief executive of the charity YoungMinds, Sally Brennan, said:

"This has to be a pivotal moment where we seize the initiative and bring about a sea change in how we support children and young people's mental health."


Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of mental health solicitors and can advise on issues such as access to mental health services and a patient’s rights under the Mental Health Act, including detention under the Act.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors and in some cases can advise the Nearest Relative (NR) or carer of a mental health patient.

For expert advice on mental health law, contact the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors’ Helpline on 0203 114 1124.