Mental health access for alcohol addiction
Significant barriers to timely mental health support for patients with alcohol addiction due to service and awareness gaps.
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Committee recommendation
100match
#18 - Muslim women in frontline services endure anti-Muslim abuse and face mental health barriers.
It is deeply saddening that Muslim women working in frontline services such as healthcare settings are having to endure anti-Muslim abuse while performing their duties in helping others. Reports of a lack of support from colleagues and employers are also troubling. Anti-Muslim discrimination, harassment and abuse can have lasting mental health impacts. Yet Muslims can face barriers in...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
100match
#1 - Severity gap reveals unacceptable failing in timely access to mental health care
Timely access to mental health care is not just a matter of convenience— it is a matter of safety, dignity, and equity. Delays in care can lead to preventable crises, greater distress, poorer outcomes, and higher costs to the system. The severity gap, where people fall between high and low intensity services, reflects an unacceptable failing of the...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
98match
#13 - Rural communities face inaccessible NHS mental health services due to centralisation, transport, and connectivity
We conclude that NHS mental health services are often not fairly accessible for rural communities, with centralised services creating barriers to access, compounded by poor rural transport and weak digital connectivity.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
HSSIB recommendation
98match
Mental health: investigating under the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
Staff knowledge and insight into how community mental health services can support service users who may require prescription medication and who use drugs and/or alcohol.
Matched on
terms: alcohol, health, mental
Committee recommendation
94match
#18 - Co-occurring mental health and alcohol problems frequently result in denial of vital treatment.
Dame Carol, Sir Ian, Ms Taylor and Ms Wiseman all raised concerns about the relationship between mental ill health and alcohol. Sir Ian told us that an estimated 70% of people entering treatment for alcohol dependency have co-occurring mental health problems.42 The relationship between substance misuse and mental ill health is well- established yet, as Dame Carol pointed...
Matched on
terms: acces, alcohol, health, mental
PFD report
93match
David Chatburn
The coroner identified issues with the GP's clinical management of the patient's mental health, including the absence of specialist referral and lack of recognised assessment tools. Concerns were also raised about bureaucratic barriers preventing GPs from easily accessing mental health services.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
90match
#19 - A lack of in-patient and residential alcohol treatment creates significant access barriers.
Sir Ian and Ms Wiseman spoke of the cost effectiveness of in-patient and residential treatment services. We heard examples of how the lack of in-patient and residential services in some areas of the country meant patients were left either bouncing between community treatment services or having to travel long distances. Ms Wiseman told us that some areas run...
Matched on
terms: acces, alcohol
PFD report
89match
Philip Denning
The coroner identified fragmented service provision for patients with co-occurring substance misuse and mental health issues, with insufficient information sharing and joint working between providers. There is also a lack of understanding in primary care about accessing appropriate help.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
89match
#18 - Consult on proposals to expand preventative mental health support for rural children and young people.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) have been under intense pressure for many years, but a lack of alternative rural social infrastructure and a fall in support for youth services means CAMHS is often the “only show in town”. However, focussing on providing ‘reactive’ mental health services will only go so far, especially given CAMHS waiting times,...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
89match
#14 - Improve rural mental health service access through mobile provision, community involvement, and stigma reduction
Locally the NHS must focus on providing rural communities with good access to services in terms of location and/or via mobile or outreach services, through effective consultation and co-design, and bring the voluntary and community sector into the delivery landscape given its expertise in early intervention as trusted providers. It should put effort into reducing the stigma of...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
89match
#76 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Witnesses told us about âthe importance of dual diagnosisâ. 130 Niki Scordi, the then CEO of Advance, spelled out the problem: âmental health professionals will use the fact that you have a drug or alcohol addiction as a barrier to prevent you from accessing services and support, but you are abusing substances because you are trying to cope,...
Matched on
terms: acces, addiction, alcohol, health
PFD report
85match
Patricia Cleghorn
The coroner noted a lack of acute mental health inpatient beds, which meant vulnerable individuals received community care with limited resources. There was also no formal risk assessment concerning the deceased's access to medication despite her repeated statements about ending her life by overdose.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
85match
#19 - Identify farming and veterinary mental health as priorities and develop specific NHS staff training.
It is very important for the farming and veterinary communities to feel that their circumstances are understood by NHS staff when seeking to access, or receiving, support (otherwise this may work against help-seeking behaviours). Charities with specialist-knowledge can gain people’s trust from a position of credibility, so it makes sense to engage them to boost NHS staff understanding...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
NCEPOD recommendation
82match
Physical Healthcare in Mental Health Inpatient Settings
Matched on
terms: health, mental
Committee recommendation
82match
#20 - Ensure refreshed Women's Health Strategy addresses poor outcomes for Muslim women's healthcare.
Tackling disparities in women’s healthcare is a key focus of the Women’s Health Strategy. The Government is due to refresh the strategy in the coming months. The Government should ensure that addressing poor outcomes faced by Muslim women, including in the provision of mental health support and pain relief for women, is included in that work. (Recommendation, Paragraph...
Matched on
terms: health, mental
Committee recommendation
82match
#29 - Embed specialist practical and mental health support for families of drug users.
We recommend that local authorities use the funding allocated under the 10-Year Drugs Strategy to embed specialist practical and mental health support within drug treatment and support services for the families and the loved ones of people who use, or used, drugs.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
81match
Colin Williams
The coroner expressed concern that individuals with complex needs and variable mental capacity faced significant difficulty navigating multiple agencies and understanding service funding. This "agency blindness" prevented access to support, compounded by changes in funding models and complex paperwork requirements.
Matched on
terms: acces, mental
Committee recommendation
81match
#17 - Health services are failing to adequately identify and refer alcohol-dependent individuals for treatment.
Most people entering treatment for alcohol dependency in England self-refer. In 2021– 22, only 23% of referrals were from health services.40 Our expert witnesses thought much more could be done to identify people early and direct them towards treatment. Ms Taylor 30 Qq 11, 65 31 Qq 64, 86 32 C&AG’s Report, paras 3.8–3.9, Figure 14 33 Q...
Matched on
terms: alcohol, health
Committee recommendation
81match
#77 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
In the presence of a dual diagnosis, Niki Scordi argued that âservices being available for mental health, rather than addiction, is particularly importantâ. 133 Talking in generic terms about a woman on probation, she explained that âshe may know that she is using alcohol to cope, but telling her to stop and taking her to a treatment will...
Matched on
terms: addiction, alcohol, health, mental
PPO recommendation
81match
The Head of Healthcare
The Head of Healthcare should ensure that those who are on a waiting list for therapy have access to mental health support in the interim if there is a risk of suicide and self-harm.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
80match
Swansea (2022)
HMP Swansea is generally considered a safe and humane prison by the Board, with notable improvements in education, purposeful activity, and resettlement support. However, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate mental health provision and the challenge of securing accommodation for prisoners on release. Other key issues include delays in cell refurbishment, poor disability access, and inconsistent reporting of...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
80match
Foston Hall (2023)
HMP/YOI Foston Hall has shown positive developments in regime provision and some safety initiatives, yet it continues to grapple with persistently high self-harm rates and increased use of force. Staffing shortages have impacted key work and overall experience levels, while healthcare faces challenges with recruitment, missed appointments, and inadequate facilities. The Board highlights significant concerns regarding accommodation decency,...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
80match
Gartree (2023)
HMP Gartree maintains a calm and ordered environment with positive staff-prisoner relationships, though faces significant challenges with its ageing infrastructure and an increase in use of force incidents. While basic healthcare access is good, mental health services and purposeful activity require improvement. The Board highlights key concerns regarding building repairs, drug infiltration, fire safety, and adequate provision for...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
80match
#15 - Open up NHS access for rural veterinary community, supporting flexible appointments and appropriate digital provision.
The NHS also needs to open-up access to the rural veterinary community to reflect restrictions on their ability to attend appointments, and support people who need to Rural Mental Health 79 continue practising. Better digital provision could improve service access but must not be the default offer to rural communities, as it is not always appropriate or suitable.
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
PFD report
77match
Samarjit Singh
There was no Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Service in Wirral, resulting in sub-optimal treatment. Additionally, the Liverpool City Region lacked a Mother and Baby in-patient Unit, leading to many distant referrals being declined.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
77match
Michael George
The coroner identified senior management's apparent unawareness of previous PFD reports concerning physical health care on mental health wards, with insufficient progress on establishing domiciliary consultant physician visits. Concerns were also raised about inconsistent follow-up for glucose testing of patients on antipsychotics.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
77match
Gillian Taylor
The coroner identified the absence of an acute mental health facility in Powys, leading to patients being moved long distances and a resulting lack of continuity of treatment. This situation may negatively impact patient engagement with mental health services.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
77match
Melvin James
The patient was discharged from hospital while still experiencing delusions, with the clinician unaware of the family's observations. There was insufficient communication with the family about relapse symptoms and no formal referral or aftercare arranged with mental health services post-discharge.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
77match
David Sewell
The coroner raised concerns regarding the apparent lack of a robust system to ensure individuals with mental health problems, especially those with psychotic episodes, are seen and receive appropriate care. A patient was discharged from the service with no further efforts made to re-engage him after a missed appointment.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
Committee recommendation
77match
#110 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Justin Russell said that to reduce the criminal activity of low-level, âprolificâ offenders, their rehabilitation âwould need to involve a residential elementâ and âtreatment for mental health and/or drug and alcohol problemsâ, which âwould probably need to involve someone consentingâ to such interventions. 206 At the moment, however, âthe danger is that they would say, âIâd rather have...
Matched on
terms: alcohol, health, mental
Committee recommendation
77match
#102 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Women entering the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales are often the victims of abuse and discrimination, or suffering from trauma, addiction, and mental health issues. Many of them have caring responsibilities. These issues, acknowledged by the Government in its Female Offenders Strategy, have been explored in depth by others , notably by Baroness Corston and recently...
Matched on
terms: addiction, health, mental
Committee recommendation
77match
#78 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Pavan Dhaliwal, Chief Executive of Revolving Doors, alluded to âcombined ordersâ, involving more than one treatment requirement. 135 Caroline told us that she âhad the mental health treatmentâ and âjust needed that Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR) as wellâ, emphasising the value of âthe combination of bothâ. 136 Referrals for treatment
Matched on
terms: alcohol, health, mental
Committee recommendation
77match
#12 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Many people on probation suffer from mental health issues and from addiction to alcohol or drugs, which fuels their offending behaviour. Few of them are referred to a Community Sentence Treatment Requirement (CSTR). And yet, referrals exceed the availability of treatment, which may in itself deter sentencers from making referrals.
Matched on
terms: addiction, alcohol, health, mental
Committee recommendation
76match
#65 - 1st Report - Cutting crime: better community sentences
Revolving Doors told us that polling commissioned by them in 2022 âfound that the majority of the public (65%) think that the reason why most people commit non-violent, low-level crimes is due to poverty, mental health issues, and problems with drugs and alcohol.â They went on to say that âthe majority (58%) also believe that alternatives to prison...
Matched on
terms: alcohol, health, mental
IMB annual report
76match
Gatwick IRC (2021)
The 2021 report covers the first year of the combined Gatwick IRC (Brook House and Tinsley House) under merged IMB oversight and Serco management, with the year dominated by Covid-19 restrictions, unprecedented Channel crossing arrivals through Tinsley House, and ongoing Home Office case management failures leading to prolonged and often unnecessary detention. While Serco staff generally treated detained...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
76match
Lincoln (2023)
HMP Lincoln, a Category B prison, experienced a decrease in self-harm incidents and drug finds during the reporting period, alongside generally positive staff-prisoner relationships. However, significant concerns persist regarding the length and quality of maintenance work by Amey, and the inadequate access to specialist mental health facilities. Other key challenges include the impact of increasing operational capacity, difficulties...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
76match
Low Newton (2024)
The IMB finds HMP/YOI Low Newton a reasonably safe and clean environment with generally good staff-prisoner relationships. However, the Board is concerned about the increasing number of women with severe mental health issues being sent to prison, impacting self-harm and assault rates. Delays in accessing healthcare and mental health support, along with the negative effects of custodial transport...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
IMB annual report
76match
New Hall (2024)
HMP/YOI New Hall, a closed category prison for women, held 365 residents against an operational capacity of 381. The Board noted positive developments in reception, staff-prisoner relationships, and the introduction of a drug recovery wing. However, significant concerns persist regarding the inadequate funding and suitability of the prison environment for women with complex mental health needs, leading to...
Matched on
terms: acces, health, mental
Committee recommendation
74match
#27 - Jobcentre environments often lack accessibility and welcome, undermining efforts to support claimants.
Jobcentres are not places that people want to go to. They are often run-down and lack basic facilities, including accessibility features. An intimidating security presence can create additional barriers for some. It will be important that when people walk through the door of the new service, it does not look and feel similar to now. Such an outcome...
Matched on
terms: acces
Committee recommendation
74match
#9 - Government fails to halve detentions of autistic people; numbers in mental health settings rise.
The Government has fallen short on its commitment to halve the number of people with a learning disability and autistic people inappropriately detained in mental health hospitals. Promises to bring forward a new Mental Health Bill to help address this concern have gone unmet. Meanwhile, the number of autistic people in mental health settings and exposed to the...
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PPO recommendation
74match
The Head of Healthcare and the Mental Health Team Manager
The Head of Healthcare and the Mental Health Team Manager should ensure that: • mental health referrals are actioned and recorded, and assessments take place with appropriate urgency. • ACCT procedures are not used to substitute urgent mental health assessments.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Robert Day
The coroner noted a lack of national guidance for frontline emergency services concerning complex, time-critical mental health situations. Non-specialist staff require clearer direction on appropriate actions when Mental Health Act provisions are not readily applicable.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Sol Hadhasseh
The coroner noted concerns regarding procedures for transferring patients between mental health trusts, specifically that a referral for a patient with complex needs was sent via a GP and not received until after the patient's death, rather than directly between trusts.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Brian Dalrymple
The coroner raised concerns about detention staff's insufficient awareness and training on mental health indicators, alongside inadequate communication of observations to healthcare staff. Additionally, medical practitioners lacked necessary knowledge, routine medical visits for segregated detainees were inadequate, and a comprehensive clinical record system was absent.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
John Ioannou
The coroner identified a lack of guidance for GPs on managing patients who do not collect medication required for their mental health conditions.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
James Adams
Concerns were raised regarding the shortage of acute psychiatric beds in Cornwall and inadequate staffing at designated mental health places of safety. This leads to patients being inappropriately detained in police cells or transported out of county.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Shalane Blackwood
The coroner identified a lack of provision for prisoners with complex health needs and insufficient staff for segregation unit regimes. Additionally, concerns were raised about an unclear documentary tool for assessing fitness for segregation and healthcare staff's awareness of physical symptoms masked by mental health issues.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Rohan Fitzsimons
The coroner identified insufficient availability of in-patient mental health beds, leading to delays in Mental Health Act Assessments. These delays could result in individuals taking their own lives before assessment and bed provision.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Wendy Telfer
The coroner noted insufficient training for physical healthcare staff regarding mental health needs and the application of the Mental Health Act. Concerns were also raised about the persistent lack of available psychiatric beds, which caused delays in patient transfer.
Matched on
terms: health, mental
PFD report
73match
Abigail Baynham
The coroner noted no referral was made back to the Mental Health Liaison Service when Ms Baynham left hospital, which could have led to a further assessment of her mental state and risk of self-harm.
Matched on
terms: health, mental