’Unacceptable and unnecessary’ that people with mental health problems are dying younger because of fragmented care, says Mind

The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Deaths (NCEPOD) report looks at how hospital staff (such as physicians and surgeons) respond to the mental health needs of patients admitted to acute general hospitals for management of their physical health needs.

The report found a lack of joined up care between physical and mental health.

Responding to this report, Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“We welcome this report, which shines a spotlight on disjointed care within acute hospitals and the impact this can have on patients’ health and recovery. For years, people with mental health problems have been telling us how a lack of understanding of mental health has negatively affected their health and recovery. As such, we particularly support the recommendation to roll out mental health training for all staff in general hospitals.

“Mental health and physical health problems go hand in hand, yet we still see fragmented care, with devastating consequences. It’s unacceptable and unnecessary that if you have a severe mental health problem, you typically develop medical conditions a decade earlier than other people, and die 15 to 20 years younger as a result. That’s why it’s so important that we make joined up care a priority for people with mental health problems. Better integration was one of the three main themes of the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health which came out of a consultation with 20,000 people living with a mental health problem or working within mental health.”