Review discharge of mental health patients

Why do we allow people struggling with mental health to be discharged alone. We think this is a huge safeguarding issue and not protecting the vulnerable. A review should consider requiring that patients are discharged into the care of someone. We think this could prevent the loss of lives.

The Government recognises the importance of safe and well-planned discharge from mental health inpatient settings, and the need to ensure that people receive appropriate support as they move back into the community. This is particularly important given that the National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Safety in Mental Health has found there is an increased risk of suicide within three days of discharge.

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

If a person is homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, hospitals have a duty to refer them to local housing authorities. Local commissioners should consider the needs of people experiencing homelessness being discharged from mental health hospitals, including the commissioning of appropriate accommodation and support upon discharge.

The Government is also strengthening the legal framework for discharge through reforms to the Mental Health Act. Currently a patient’s responsible clinician can, in law, unilaterally decide to discharge a hospital inpatient from certain powers of the Act. Under the Mental Health Act 2025 they 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 and to align with existing best practice. We will build on this further in secondary legislation and in statutory guidance – including that patients must receive a personalised plan for ensuring their safety before and after discharge, as part of the new statutory care and treatment plan.

There are no plans to undertake a separate review of the merits of requiring all patients to be discharged into the care of another person. The focus remains on ensuring that existing guidance is consistently implemented and that discharge decisions are tailored to each individual’s needs and circumstances.

Department of Health and Social Care