Deaths in mental health hospitals double as Covid-19 spreads
source: The Independent
published: 8 May 2020
Deaths in mental health hospitals have doubled compared with last year – with 54 fatalities linked to coronavirus since March began. Mental health hospitals have now been warned by the care watchdog that they must take action to protect vulnerable patients.
The Care Quality Commission
regulator said 106 deaths were recorded in mental health hospitals between 1 March and 1 May, compared with 51 over the same period in 2019. Fifty-four of these deaths are from confirmed or suspected coronavirus infections.
The CQC has now written to all mental health hospital providers highlighting its fears over the spread of the virus in secure hospitals and units, and to patients who are under Mental Health Act restrictions in the community.
The figures were published
as NHS England separately refused to make public the weekly data it receives from hospitals and learning disability units about the deaths of patients with learning disabilities. It said the data would be published in 2021, sparking outrage from charities and politicians.
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