Carers' needs and involvement in mental health inpatient service discharge report and action plan

Healthwatch Hertfordshire undertook research to understand whether the carers of people who are discharged from psychiatric inpatient services are involved with decision making in discharge processes. They held a focus group of 11 people.

Carers felt they weren’t involved in decisions about the service user’s care and were unsupported from admission to discharge.  The findings from the focus group were considered by an advisory group to co-produce solutions to the issues identified. 

The report includes recommendations covering communication, accessible materials, responsibility and taking carers into account.