Inadequate safety at Hull mental health services

Mental health services in Hull and East Riding have been deemed as inadequate, investigations have revealed.

England’s health regulator has disclosed that patients have been waiting too long for help; senior managers are chaotic and nurses are pushed to the limit because of severe staff shortages.

The Care Quality Commission rated the Trust as inadequate at providing safe services.

Too few staff

The report found that crisis teams and inpatient units have 13 nurse vacancies to fill. Not only is there a lack of nurses, but also a lack of doctors to make emergency assessments, with a high number of patients being admitted to hospital as a result.

The trust was issued with an enforcement action over the use of seclusion, rapid tranquillisation, and the opening of patients’ mail at the Humber centre.

Reports showed high records of staff sickness in the community mental health teams, where 733 of the 1,200 sick days were related to staff working in Hull’s mental health team.

Hull East MP Karl Turner has called an urgent meeting to discuss the findings, saying:

“This is a damning report which has exposed the massive shortcomings of the Humber NHS Foundation Trust to provide safe mental health services to patients.”

Safety Services inadequate

Senior managers reportedly failed in introducing important policies and procedures which lead to them having a “chaotic” approach. It was noted that the majority of Humber’s board had a “lack of mental health knowledge” apart from the deputy director of nursing and medical director Dr Dasari Michael.

Staff felt undervalued and there was a noted feeling of disconnection between board staff and medical staff.

People in crisis

Patients suffered due to the staff being under pressure because there were too few of them and also they felt disconnected in their duties. The report noted that patients could not access services in emergencies and that 79 times between November and March, during the seclusion of patients the units used were not fit for purpose, which lead to patients being denied the use of toilet facilities, and the physical health of patients in seclusion was sadly ignored.

Those seeking help for substance abuse were sometimes left so long that they left before receiving treatment or had to go elsewhere in order to receive treatment.

Some patients did not have the funds in order to move to other facilities as well.

It was not all bad news though. While the safety services were deemed inadequate, the Trust did receive a good rating for its care services. Staff from different teams working across the trust were praised for the kindness, dignity and respect they treated the patients in their care.

While this positive interaction between patients and staff was good, the problems that have been found must be focused on, and properly addressed, as an absolute priority.

Victim of medical negligence

If you have been a victim of medical negligence and have suffered because of this, then we can help. We are specialist Medical Negligence Lawyers and are able to help you. If you think you have been a victim of medical negligence we urge you to contact us and we can advise you on whether you have a claim.

Source: http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/humber-nhs-foundation-trust-rated-inadequate-over-safety-of-hull-mental-health-services/story-29601768-detail/story.html?001