Commission for Health Improvement and mental health Services

Abstract

The Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) ceased to function at the end of March 2004. This provides the opportunity to review its contribution and achievements as a new body, the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection (CHAI), takes over its functions∗. CHI recently published its assessment of mental health services (http://www.chi.nhs.uk/eng/news/2003/dec/11.shtml). The report is based on the 35 clinical governance reviews, in England and Wales, published between July 2001 and October 2003; two investigations into serious service failures; and a report on safeguarding arrangements for children in England and a self-audit of child protection arrangements. CHI concluded that mental health services lag behind acute health services in developing clinical governance systems and processes that promote high-quality care and continuous improvement. It specifically highlighted the shortages of psychiatrists and in-patient nurses, and the reliance on agency nurses and locum staff; the unsuitability of buildings and facilities; the pressures on in-patient beds; the lack of management capacity and poor information systems; and the low priority given to services for children and older people.