Mind responds to Matt Hancock Covid-19 Inquiry testimony
Mind, the mental health charity, has responded to former Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s claims, during testimony to the Covid-19 Inquiry, that the NHS was ‘never overwhelmed’ during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“The narrative that the NHS was never overwhelmed during the pandemic is false. The evidence overwhelmingly contradicts this. Mental health services were stretched to breaking point and have not fully recovered in the years since.
“It became clear very early on that further measures to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on mental health services were needed, something Mind was highlighting as early as May 2020 with NHS colleagues who felt the same. People were being discharged without adequate support, and at the same time community mental health services were shut down, as well as the workforce battling on all fronts. We are still living with the consequences with more people facing mental health problems and further overstretched services.
“It is essential lessons are learned and that future pandemic planning places mental health needs at its heart. The people of this country cannot be left without the help and support they need in such difficult circumstances, the shadow now cast will impact generations and beyond.”
Afeefa Ali (19), was on a mental health unit when the pandemic began. She said:
“It felt like mental health patients were being neglected.
“I was sent home on extended leave. I was told it would be for about 3 days. There was a lot of uncertainty about what was happening – whether I was actually on leave or being discharged. In the end, it turned out I was being formally discharged, which wouldn’t have happened so soon if it wasn’t for COVID.
“I was taking day leave before, which would have progressed into staying the night at home to help me adjust to life outside of the ward before being discharged. So the shock of being back at home instantly hit really hard. I felt like I’d been chucked back into the community suddenly with no time to adjust.”
Background
During the Covid-19 Inquiry, Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Providers Saffron Cordery said in her written statement that “Throughout the course of the relevant period, trust leaders highlighted to us that mental health services for children and young people faced a significant treatment gap prior to the pandemic in addition to demand stemming from the pandemic.”
Further evidence has shown that, in a May 2021 survey of chairs and chief executives of mental health and learning disability trusts, 85% of respondents could not meet demand for children and young people’s eating disorder services. Two thirds said they were not able to meet demand for community services (66%) and inpatient services (65%).
