Healthwatch York releases new report on mental health crisis care

Healthwatch York has recently published a report outlining people’s experiences of accessing mental health crisis support in the city, alongside the views of staff working to support people experiencing mental ill-health and family members and carers whose loved ones have struggled to access the help they need.

The report, ‘Breaking Point: A recent history of mental health crisis care in York’, finds that services are struggling to support people, some of whom feel they have been failed at all levels. Although there were stories of excellent care, and staff going above and beyond to help individuals, many people shared experiences of feeling dismissed and stigmatised when they were in crisis wherever they turned for help. Some told Healthwatch York they felt crisis support and after-care was either inaccessible or of such poor quality it was ineffective.

Siân Balsom, Manager at Healthwatch York, reflected: “This has not been an easy report to write and it is not an easy read. It evidences the challenging recent history of mental health crisis support in York and the significant gaps and issues we are all too aware of and are seeing both locally and nationally. The report highlights how important it is to improve services. We must look to the future, build on some of the changes that give glimmers of hope and create services that delivers better care for people when they most need help.

“It is vital that the voices and experiences of people who have accessed crisis care, or been unable to, are part of the process to develop services that work for everyone. They must sit alongside those who buy our services and those delivering them to create a crisis service worthy of the name.”

In writing the report, Healthwatch York focused on qualitative information hearing from more than 65 people most of whom experienced crisis mental health care in the past five years. The report includes feedback from in-depth interviews, workshops and from frontline mental health workers.  

Zoe Campbell, managing director for North Yorkshire and York at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s incredibly important that we listen and act upon people’s experiences. This will help us, along with our partners, to drive forward improvements and make sure that everyone receives safe and kind care.

“There continues to be an unprecedented demand for mental health care throughout the country. We’re committed to providing a better experience for people in our care and there is a great deal of work underway to improve crisis services, as well as preventative care in York.”

Improvements include:

· 24/7 crisis response and home treatment team which supports people, including in times of crisis, to continue to live at home in their local communities.

· An increased telephone response to the all age mental health support and crisis line.

· Working in partnership to introduce a mental health hub in City of York.

· First contact mental health workers who provide early mental health support to reduce need for crisis or secondary care.

· Mental health team presence within the police force control room supporting an increased number of frontline police officers where there is a mental health need.

The report is available at: https://www.healthwatchyork.co.uk/our-work/hw-york-publications/  

For more information about the work of Healthwatch York visit: www.healthwatchyork.co.uk.