Mind comments on Healthcare Commission investigations report

Mental health charity Mind welcomed the Healthcare Commission's Learning from investigations report, particularly its emphasis on safeguarding vulnerable adults and leadership. p42 of the report draws attention to abuse on mental health wards.

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, welcomed the Healthcare Commission report, saying:

"We're glad that the Healthcare Commission continues to pay close attention to mental health wards. We know that there is a great disparity in mental health inpatient care, from the best highly innovative and therapeutic services, to wards where, as the Commission notes, violence and abuse has become tolerated. Such wards are failing their patients and their communities. It is not acceptable for mental health services to regard violence as tolerable, and this culture must be eradicated. Good leadership is crucial to achieving cultural change. We are determined to stand up for patients subjected to dangerous environments, and to pursue any organisation which tolerates a culture of abuse."