Posted: Tuesday 14 September 2010
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today released the results of a new survey looking at the experiences of people using community mental health services.
Commenting on the results. Mind’s Chief Executive Paul Farmer said:
It is concerning that some community mental health services are falling short when it comes to involving people in decisions about their care and treatment. Involving someone in the management of their mental health, for example through reviews of their care plan or offering explanations about the side effects of medication, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the service user experience.
This survey highlights once again that treatment choice remains limited with almost a third of people unable to access the talking treatment they wanted. It is unacceptable that people are being denied the right to care that could help them in their recovery.
However, we are encouraged by the high numbers of people who reported having a good rapport with their health and social care workers. A good relationship between service user and mental health professional can make the world of difference, allowing constructive two-way communication and mutual respect.
The financial climate of the last few years has really had an impact on the mental wellbeing of the country, and this survey once again shows why it is vital that during these tough times mental health is protected from cuts. It is also clear that further investment is needed in the area of psychological therapies, which we know can play a pivotal role in empowering individuals to recover and lead full lives.
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