Concerns have
been raised that public services such as NHS trusts, clinical commissioning
groups and local authorities, are failing to work together to ensure there is round
the clock access to crisis care.
In
addition it has been found that healthcare professionals, eg those in A&E can appear to lack
compassion and warmth in how to care for and speak to people who are having a
crisis including those who have harmed themselves.
The Care Quality
Commission (CQC) which regulates health and social care providers was asked by the
Government to investigate the treatment received by mental health sufferers in
crisis. CQC’s report has highlighted a
disparity in the care and compassion that mental health sufferers have received
in contrast to patients with other medical illnesses.
Reading was not
one of the areas covered in CQC's investigation, however as mental illness is suffered by a
large number of the population and the findings should be acted upon, here is CQC's report. Do also read about the Charlie Waller Trust which is a local charity set up to help people with mental health illness.