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Rooting out racism in mental health

Recommendations on rooting out racism in mental health institutions will be issued by the Mental Health Act Commission in October, following a recent visit to 108 mental health units in one day. The recommendations will not be enforceable, but will offer guidance on good practice.

The decision to organise the snapshot survey of mental hospitals, nursing homes and secure institutions was organised following reports of continuing ‘broad failings’ in the care of black and minority ethnic mental health patients.

Kamlesh Patel, director of the University of Central Lancashire ethnicity and health unit told healthmatters that certain themes kept recurring. ‘People have not had access to interpreters, staff have been unsure about what religion people are, they have not had their dietary needs met, and there have been instances of racism without clear procedures and practices to follow,’ he said.

There had been cases – prior to the recent visit Patel emphasised – in which staff had not known what language patients spoke, despite them having been on the ward for years.

The response to the national visit had been positive, Patel added. ‘The majority of places we visited were keen to receive guidance. They want to improve care and facilities but aren’t sure about what approaches to take.’

The survey was resourced by the MHAC with support from the University of Central Lancashire and the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.