People detained under Mental Health Act are becoming more unwell because of poor community support, says CQC

Patients are more unwell than in the past when admitted to hospital for detention under the Mental Health Act, services have told Care Quality Commission inspectors.1

In its report monitoring the operation of the 1983 Mental Health Act in 2023-24, the CQC cited shortages of beds, staff, and community support. Being more unwell on admission can lead to a prolonged recovery time, the CQC pointed out.

The lack of suitable support in the community meant that patients were caught in a “damaging cycle” of readmission to hospital, it said. In nearly half of cases where young person were detained they had to be readmitted within a year.

The overwhelming demand and limited resources were leading to …