Look Ahead was delighted to co- host a recent roundtable discussion in partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) and the National Housing Federation (NHF).
The meeting, chaired by RCPsych President Lade Smith CBE and introduced by Look Ahead’s Chief Executive Chris Hampson, convened senior NHS staff and other key policy makers to discuss how to improve hospital discharge for people experiencing mental health challenges, and to explore cross-sector solutions.
The roundtable was called in response to stark revelations including:
- NHS England figures showing the wait for supported housing is the biggest reason for delayed discharge from mental health hospitals.
- NHF research findings that in 2023/24 some 18% of all delayed discharges from hospitals were due to waiting for supported housing.
- The NHF showed these delays cost the NHS an eyewatering £71 million in the same year, acknowledged the cost-effectiveness of supported housing when compared with in-patient stays, and concluded that reducing delayed discharges could save the NHS £53-65 million per year.
Attendees considered options available for hospital patients who are clinically ready for discharge from psychiatric wards but would be best suited to a supported housing placement before living independently again or stepping down into lower acuity support.
As ever, ensuring that lived experience is represented in these valuable policy discussions was a priority for everyone at the table. With this in mind, individuals who receive support from different Look Ahead mental health services took part in the session, sharing their lived experiences and valuable insights, and ensuring conversations remained rooted in real life experiences of what works – and doesn’t.
The roundtable was a resounding success, and all three organisations plan to continue to share developments in our work supporting people out of hospital and into the community, integrating housing, health and social care.
At present, plans for next steps include communicating the roundtable’s findings to key stakeholders, including local commissioners, councils, NHS trusts and central government, to further credentialise the role of supported housing in the hospital discharge pathway.
