• Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman publishes mental health report
• The report highlights five common failings
• We argue funding commitments for mental health must be met with action, and must reach the front line to improve the experience for patients

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has published Maintaining momentum: driving improvements in mental health care.

The report argues that NHS mental healthcare staff can lack the capacity, skills and training they need to do their job effectively, and do not always have the support they need to learn from mistakes.

The report is based on analysis of mental health complaints.

The deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

“The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman findings show a system under intolerable pressure. 

As the number of mental health nurses continues to fall, they must be given the support and tools they need to deliver high-quality care for all.

“It is evident that there is a growing gap between demand for mental health services and the level of funding and staff needed to deliver them.  Every patient deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and feel confident in raising issues with their care should they need to. As the number of mental health nurses continues to fall, they must be given the support and tools they need to deliver high-quality care for all.

“The Ombudsman, the CQC and others have set out where services need to learn from mistakes. It is vital that we continue to tackle injustices faced by those seeking mental health care. Funding commitments for mental health services must be met with action, and must reach the front line to improve the experience for patients.”