Mental health discharge

Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh investigated the mental health discharge process and looked into whether people were appropriately supported afterwards. A survey was developed to gather the experiences of previous mental health admission, discharge from the service and the post discharge period. This survey was distributed online via Facebook, Twitter, Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh mailing list and via relevant North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust contact lists. Paper questionnaires were completed at meetings with local groups; a women's group and a local mental health support group.

In total, 22 participants participated in the study. Most of the respondents felt they were discharged too early and over half felt that the staff had made the discharge decision. Respondents felt there is not enough discussion with patients prior to their discharge and didn't feel that they were supported well after discharge. Furthermore, 70% of respondents continued to have problems with their mental health after discharge.

The recommendations from this report are: to commission a full sampling study to investigate the discharge experiences of a cohort of mental patients in near real time, for this report (and the results of any sampling study) to be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Wigan Safeguarding Boards to ensure all relevant parties are focused on improving the situation, and to conduct a cost benefit analysis to shed light on the pattern of cost burden to the system of poor mental health discharging.