Psychiatric Patients

We recognise the importance of safe and well-planned discharge from mental health settings, and the need to ensure that people receive appropriate support as they move back into the community.

The statutory guidance on discharge from mental health inpatient settings, published in 2024, is clear that local areas and commissioners should cooperate with one another to ensure the right individualised support is provided post-discharge. This may include commissioning step-down services, specialist supported accommodation, or collaboration with the voluntary and community sector.

We are strengthening the legal framework for discharge through reforms to the Mental Health Act. Under the Mental Health Act 2025, the patient’s responsible clinician will be required to consult with someone else who has been professionally concerned with the patient’s treatment, whether that be in the hospital or in the community, who is from a different profession from them. This is to ensure a more rounded perspective on the patient’s readiness for discharge from the act. Furthermore, as part of the reforms, patients detained under the act will be required to receive a comprehensive statutory care and treatment plan, including a discharge plan.

More widely, NHS England has developed a personalised care framework which sets out the core principles of care that people should expect when accessing mental health services. This includes that every person should have an up to date care plan that is current and reflects their needs as well as a named worker who can support the discharge planning process and ensure continuity of care.