Bill Davis: UK NewsStories from United Kingdom news sources.Concern over mental health wards (UK)- May 25, 2005 BBC story - "The first national survey of acute inpatient mental health wards paints a grim picture of staff shortages and failure to provide therapy. The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health surveyed 300 wards in over 50 NHS trusts across England. It found many wards lack senior medical and nursing staff, and have to rely on bank and agency workers. As a result, many wards are unable to offer therapeutic activities such as cognitive behaviour therapy." See also Mentally ill 'sedated due to.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4574705.stm Violence widespread in NHS units (UK)- May 24, 2005 BBC story - "Violence against patients and staff is widespread in mental health and learning disability inpatient units, research shows. A national audit found one in three inpatient service users had experienced violent or threatening behaviour while in care. For clinical staff the figure was 41%, and for nursing staff a massive 80%. The study was carried out by the Healthcare Commission and the Royal College of Psychiatrists."http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4572509.stm |