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