“Hard work across the sector has seen the number of out-of-area placements fall, but there is still a lot to do.
“There is no suggestion that all out-of-area placements are unsuitable; we know that for many people they allow greater flexibility and choice as well as vital access to specialist services.
“But too many are inappropriate and they involve people being sent away from their support systems for long periods at the most difficult times of their lives.
“We know that for patients in inappropriate out-of-area placements the average length of stays are longer and patient outcomes are worse - this cannot be in anyone’s interest and is indicative of the huge strains the mental health sector is under.
“There is a lack of appropriate supported housing for patients which upsets the flow of the system and means much-needed beds are taken up by people who could be better cared for in the community. Long-term cuts to social care also mean that support is often not provided to keep people well, increasing pressures on beds.
“The long term NHS investment plan and the upcoming social care funding settlement present the perfect opportunity to make sure mental health gets the funding it needs.”
