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Bed-blocking hits mental services Bed-blocking hits mental services
(about 2 hours later)
A lack of community housing and services is preventing people with mental health problems being discharged from hospital, a survey has suggested.A lack of community housing and services is preventing people with mental health problems being discharged from hospital, a survey has suggested.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists said overcrowded wards were not due to a lack of beds, but because there was nowhere suitable for patients to go.The Royal College of Psychiatrists said overcrowded wards were not due to a lack of beds, but because there was nowhere suitable for patients to go.
It found that about a fifth of adult acute psychiatric beds were occupied by people who no longer need to be there.It found that about a fifth of adult acute psychiatric beds were occupied by people who no longer need to be there.
Many of these patients have complex behavioural problems.Many of these patients have complex behavioural problems.
These include challenging anti-social behaviour or drug and alcohol issues.These include challenging anti-social behaviour or drug and alcohol issues.
Once they receive hospital treatment attempts are made to provide a care package back in the community.Once they receive hospital treatment attempts are made to provide a care package back in the community.
When I left my previous ward in October 2007, I had eight in-patients - of those, two of them had been in the ward for over a year waiting for a place Dr Philip McGarryRoyal College of Psychiatrists
But the survey of consultant psychiatrists, ward managers, patients and carers found an extreme lack of facilities.But the survey of consultant psychiatrists, ward managers, patients and carers found an extreme lack of facilities.
Psychiatrists said they were concerned that the shortage of community provision leads to overcrowding of wards and undermines patient care for those who do need to be in hospital.Psychiatrists said they were concerned that the shortage of community provision leads to overcrowding of wards and undermines patient care for those who do need to be in hospital.
Dr Philip McGarry, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Northern Ireland, said there was a lack of services for people with chronic and sever mental health problems.Dr Philip McGarry, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Northern Ireland, said there was a lack of services for people with chronic and sever mental health problems.
"Psychiatrists are frustrated that we are having to keep people in hospital who don't need to be there and yet may have to send one of our own patients to a hospital in another area," he said."Psychiatrists are frustrated that we are having to keep people in hospital who don't need to be there and yet may have to send one of our own patients to a hospital in another area," he said.
"Overcrowded wards are not acceptable environments for patients, or for staff, and can affect not only a patient's privacy and dignity, but also the care they get.""Overcrowded wards are not acceptable environments for patients, or for staff, and can affect not only a patient's privacy and dignity, but also the care they get."
He added: "When I left my previous ward in October 2007, I had eight in-patients - of those, two of them had been in the ward for over a year waiting for a place.
"I was on the same ward yesterday talking to nursing staff, and they told me at least two patients had been there for over a year."
The Department of Health is keen to roll out more services into the community and away from hospital wards.The Department of Health is keen to roll out more services into the community and away from hospital wards.
But this is proving costly and with current financial constraints there is concern that health trusts are unable to deliver appropriate services.But this is proving costly and with current financial constraints there is concern that health trusts are unable to deliver appropriate services.
The survey was carried out in May this year.The survey was carried out in May this year.
Consultant medical staff, ward managers, service users and carers were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire regarding their experiences of inpatient services concentrating on: access to services, the physical and therapeutic environment of the ward and bed occupancy.Consultant medical staff, ward managers, service users and carers were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire regarding their experiences of inpatient services concentrating on: access to services, the physical and therapeutic environment of the ward and bed occupancy.