Mental health patients' care is being threatened by nursing staff shortages, nurses say.
A poll of 600 mental health nurses by the Royal College of Nursing found nearly half thought low staffing compromised care once a week.

They also complained they did too much paperwork and 43% said they did not have time to give patients specialist care, such as psychological therapy.

Mental health experts said low staffing levels were unacceptable.

Two-thirds thought there were currently not enough members of staff to meet patient needs and 42% complained that low staffing levels compromised care once a week.

The survey also showed more than half of nurses believed they had to spend too much time on paperwork.

Norman Young, a nurse consultant in Cardiff, is involved in caring for mental health care patients and also helps train nurses and develop patient care plans.

He said as a result of increased paperwork in recent years, many nurses were feeling frustrated and needed more support.

And some are having to prioritise patients - putting less urgent cases on waiting lists despite them still having high levels of needs.

Mr Cook said in some cases these delays could worsen patients' conditions.

For more information, click below

Simon
Viewpoint Webteam

SOURCE: BBC News Online