Mental health trusts have played a critical role in responding to COVID, but now face their own surge in demand

03 June 2020

A report by NHS Providers highlights the key contribution made by NHS mental health trusts in confronting the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Spotlight on… the impact of COVID-19 on mental health trusts in the NHS highlights the critical role they played in maintaining and adapting mental health services while supporting colleagues in the acute hospital, community, ambulance and primary care sectors.

 

Important steps taken by mental health trusts have included:

 

Trusts are keen to reap the benefits of the rapid innovation prompted by the outbreak, although the changes will need to be properly evaluated, bearing in mind the enormous strain on staff we have seen as they have responded to the challenges posed by the virus.

 

The report, based on extensive and regular dialogue with mental health trust leaders, also highlights the changes in demand for mental health services during the pandemic, including increased numbers of people needing urgent and emergency care. It also points to concerns that many who need help and support are not accessing services until they reach a crisis point, and warns of pent up demand that has built up during the lockdown.

 

The report says the government and national policy makers must take account of the pressures mental health services will face in the weeks and months ahead. In particular it points to the need for:

 

Additionally, the current pressures have reinforced concerns that the mental health estate is not fit for purpose, following years of underinvestment. It is vital that the mental health sector receives its fair share in forthcoming capital funding decisions, so trusts can invest in their estate and in innovations prompted by the outbreak.

The current pressures have reinforced concerns that the mental health estate is not fit for purpose, following years of underinvestment. It is vital that the mental health sector receives its fair share in forthcoming capital funding decisions, so trusts can invest in their estate and in innovations prompted by the outbreak.

   

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

 

"The way that mental health trusts have adapted and innovated to maintain services and support the response to COVID-19 is nothing short of remarkable.

"The achievements are all the greater given that until recently the sector had been neglected and under-prioritised over many years.

"However, trusts need support now to navigate the next stage of the pandemic and meet the pressures their services will continue to face in the weeks and months ahead, given the predicted surge in demand for mental health care as lockdown eases.

Trusts need support now to navigate the next stage of the pandemic and meet the pressures their services will continue to face in the weeks and months ahead, given the predicted surge in demand for mental health care as lockdown eases.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive

"This includes adequately prioritising their needs for PPE, testing, and investment in their estate, and fully and promptly funding the required expansion of services, on a sustainable basis, to meet the extra need created by the pandemic.

"Despite substantial progress, with new services and higher levels of investment, we know there was a significant care deficit in mental health before this pandemic. Without urgent action, the impact of COVID-19 will make that much worse. We can and must not let that happen."

Despite substantial progress, with new services and higher levels of investment, we know there was a significant care deficit in mental health before this pandemic. Without urgent action, the impact of COVID-19 will make that much worse. We can and must not let that happen.

Saffron Cordery    Deputy Chief Executive