'Bed Blocking' Crisis Hits Mental Health Care

Patients suffering mental health problems are not being discharged from hospitals across Northern Ireland due to a lack of accommodation and appropriate care in the community.

They are effectively 'blocking' much needed beds for other patients, with around a fifth of beds on adult acute psychiatric wards being taken by people who no longer need to be there.

According to a survey by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, many wards were running above capacity because people were being kept in hospital for up to a year longer than necessary - in some cases, foldaway beds are put up to add temporary capacity.

Dr Philip McGarry, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Northern Ireland Division, said psychiatrists are frustrated that they are having to keep people in hospital who don't need to be there, and yet may have to send one of their own patients to a hospital in another area.

"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 said.

"The problem is made worse in that while there are targets for ensuring that more people at the mild to moderate end of mental health problems receive treatment within a reasonable time frame, there are no targets for services for people who have chronic mental illness that requires more intensive care."

Dr McGarry added: "We are not against restructuring hospital beds, but before this happens there must be good community services.

"This includes not only various levels of housing and supported accommodation, but also weekend and out of hours centres for people to visit, Assertive Outreach teams that will ensure a person receives care, and more Home Treatment teams."

(BMcC/JM)