Mind comments on shocking true picture of mixed-sex wards and racial discrimination in NHS

Thursday 6 December 2007

Shocking true picture of mixed-sex wards: 68 per cent of mental health inpatients on these

Racial discrimination shows no improvement

Today's patient research reveals the true state of mixed-sex wards: a disturbing 68 per cent of mental health patients were accommodated on these wards this year. This confirms what patients have been telling Mind for years (1), underlining the need for urgent action to address this situation. The Count Me In census (2), brought in as part of Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care, also shows no improvement in racial discrimination in the NHS, with some black men (Black Other) 79 per cent more likely than average to be secluded - locked away in a room by themselves.

Census data includes:

• Black Afro-Caribbean and Black Other: 3 times more likely to be detained than average
• Black Other (not Afro-Caribbean): over 10 times more likely to be detained
• Black Caribbean men: 33 per cent more likely to be secluded than average
• Black Other: 79 per cent more likely to be secluded than average
• Note: Black Other group is most likely to be second or third generation young men.

Paul Farmer, Mind's Chief Executive says: "Mind is sadly unsurprised at this truly appalling picture of the mixed-sex wards scandal, with more than two-thirds of our most vulnerable people caught up in the worst of it. For too long, Government ministers relied on misleading figures (3), rather than listening to patients themselves. Such wards are notorious for incidents of sexual harassment and abuse: hospitals should be a place of safety and recovery, not of danger and deterioration.

"We are deeply concerned about the continuing high levels of racial discrimination in the NHS, and urge for the delivery of racial equality to be at the heart of all mental health service, with ring-fenced funding. We must have a joined-up approach to tackle the widespread issues around the experience of BME communities in the mental health system."

Notes to editors

1) Mind condemns scandal of sexual abuse on mental health wards - data withheld by Government, Pressure forces Government into releasing shock sexual abuse report

Mind, 24 May 2005, Mind’s Ward Watch findings justified by new reports
"Two new reports on inpatient conditions in the NHS for mental health service users justify Mind’s Ward Watch claims, previously dismissed by the Government as 'unrepresentative'…"

2) Count Me In is the Healthcare Commission and Mental Health Act Commission's nationwide 3rd census of acute psychiatric inpatient wards, conducted on 30 March 2007.

3) "99 per cent of trusts that provide mental health services meet single-sex accommodation objectives."  Lord Warner, DH Minister, Hansard, HL, 12 July 2006

For more information or to set up interviews contact Mind press office T: 020 8522 1743/07850 788514  e: press@mind.org.uk