Over 17 000 serious incidents reported in mental healthcare last year

Mental healthcare staff across England reported a serious incident to the Care Quality Commission on average twice every hour in the past year, an analysis has shown. Between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 staff reported a total of 17 340 serious incidents to the regulator, an analysis of CQC data by the mental health charity Mind showed. These included incidents involving people being treated for self-harm, eating disorders, and psychosis.

The vast majority of serious incidents (15 254) related to care provided in private community and hospital settings, where many NHS patients receive care …