the National Health Service‘ mental health The director warned trusts that they should have district managers working seven days a week amid national security concerns.
Claire Murdoch, England’s NHS national director of mental health, said she was “surprised” to hear that in some NHS trusts ward managers were not working and monitoring the quality and safety of wards seven days a week. week, noting that some were “Monday through Friday”. people.
His comments came in response to questions from the independent on a possible national review of safety in hospitalized patients mental health services that ministers are considering, following several high-profile scandals in recent months.
An NHS consultant claimed that the NHS was operating like the “Mary Celeste” at weekends and that moving hospital services to operate seven days would help address the growing backlog.
Speaking at the annual NHS provider conference, he said mental health providers need to make sure they listen to healthcare assistants who spend “90 per cent of their time in patient-facing situations”.
And he added “make sure your [trust] district managers work nights and weekends, i was a bit surprised to hear that we have moved with Agenda for Change quite often district managers are weekday people…and no, no, nerd.
“I think we need our most important people during the seven-day period. Unannounced visits at two in the morning. Why not?”
He said the people most frequently reporting abuse, according to the research, are health care assistants, patients and students.
NHS England has allocated £36m to improve the safety and quality of hospital wards over three years, following safety concerns, Ms Murdoch said.
Last month the independent posted a investigation revealing systemic abuse within a private mental health provider, The Huntercombe Group.
Labor shadow mental health secretary Rosen Allen Khan has since called for a “swift review” of mental health hospitals, while other MPs have called for a public inquiry.
Department of Health and Social Care mental health minister Maria Caulfield said she had not ruled out a public inquiry but warned it would take too long to complete.
Ms Murdoch sent a letter to all NHS trusts and providers in October, following a Panorama exhibition in the Edenfield center, asking all providers to review the security measures in their services.
