The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) published their report into bridging the gap between mental and physical healthcare in general hospitals in January 2017.
This report explored the quality of care received by patients presenting with co-existing mental and physical health conditions; noting that:
- A patient’s physical illness could often not be treated effectively until the patient’s mental illness was recognised and managed; and
- Many staff reported a lack of knowledge and confidence when dealing with mental health conditions.
Professor Lesley Regan, NCEPOD Chair, said “we must change our attitude and find ways of bridging the gap between physical and mental health services if we are going to deliver optimal care in the future.”