There are 4.6 million people from Black and minority ethnic
(BME) groups in the UK. Reported problems
which members of these groups can face in relation to in-patient
mental health service provision include: sociocultural difficulties
(health beliefs and mistrust of services); systemic problems (lack
of culturally competent practices in mental health services);
economic issues; and individual barriers (denial of mental health
problems).
Research shows that BME groups are more likely than
average to be admitted to mental health hospitals. Some BME groups
also experience different pathways into acute care, and it is
important to avoid aggregating all ethnic groups together where
possible. Since 2003, a number of policy directives have addressed
the needs of BME in-patients. However, concerns remain about the
care provided to BME in-patients.
This report forms an important addition to ongoing
discussions about improving care and treatment for people from
Black and minority ethnic communities. It is based on discussions
held by an independent expert panel at the Royal College of
Psychiatrists and is very closely linked to a review of the
standards used by the College Centre for
Quality Improvement (CCQI) in three of their in-patient
accreditation networks which (directly or indirectly) relate to the
care of Black and minority ethnic in-patients on acute mental
health wards.
The report makes subsequent recommendations
for:
- Improvements to existing standards
- Issues to be formulated into new
standards
- Guidance or information that might accompany
existing or new standards.
The recommendations are presented in the following
format:
- Recommendation heading
- A brief description of the issue
- Where relevant information is available, a
description of how the CCQI is already addressing the issue
- A bulleted list of recommendations.
Contents
Foreword
Summary
Staff skills
1. Discussing and understanding the needs of BME
patients
The patient journey
2. Admission
3. Initial assessment and care planning
4. Continuing assessment
5. Medication
6. Activities, therapies and links
7. Discharge
8. Ward environment: violence, abuse and other
issues
9. Ethnicity data collection
10. Other issues
Staff needs
11. Education, training and support for staff