NHS has more to learn from mental health inpatient deaths

Responding to a report from the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) on learning from deaths in inpatient mental health services and when patients die within 30 days of discharge, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"The NHS knows it must do more to improve how it learns from the deaths of mental health patients.

"This hard-hitting report sets out in stark detail that far too often, families and carers are being let down by inconsistencies and variations in practice across the NHS and within trusts.

"Opportunities to both learn from deaths and improve quality of care are being missed. Shortfalls in tackling systemic issues are further compounding these challenges.

"When someone dies under NHS care, it is essential that bereaved families and carers are treated with honesty, respect, and compassion.

"Families need to know, and be confident, that the NHS will recognise and act on any failings in care and deliver meaningful change to help prevent them happening again."