The mental health system is in disarray, with psychiatric wards overcrowded, chaotic and unhygienic and patients being prescribed out-of-date medicines, a report has concluded.
Despite 650 national "strategies, guidelines and frameworks" started in the past five years, the system is not improving quickly enough, according to the report, Behind Closed Doors. It was prepared by three mental health charities: Rethink, Sane and the Zito Trust.
The campaigners, who say the number of people being sectioned under the Mental Health Act is a key measure of success, report that 24,100 people were sectioned in England in 2002-03, compared to 19,000 in 1992-93.
Paul Cory, of Rethink, said: "Too many psychiatric wards remain overcrowded, unhygienic, chaotic and run-down. Serious staff shortages and safety concerns persist, patients are often left for days with nothing to do, and abuse of street drugs is commonplace."
He said there was "no doubt the Government is trying", with its many strategies and guidelines. But he added: "We are growing increasingly frustrated at how long it is taking for these strategies to take effect on the front line."
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