Work

Experience-based co-design of interventions to improve care quality and reduce detention under the Mental Health Act

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background The use of compulsory admission and treatment (CAT) for mental health in England is increasing and disproportionately impacts racialised populations.Objective This work convened stakeholders in a co-design process informed by lived experience of CAT with the aim of developing implementable recommendations intended to improve mental healthcare and reduce racial disparities.Method Co-design workshops were attended by 96 key stakeholders in six National Healthcare Service (NHS) Trusts. Stakeholders included psychiatrists, NHS executives, service users, carers, representatives from voluntary organisations, police, nurses, occupational therapists and social workers. Touchpoints were identified from experiential data gathered through photovoice workshops and action plans formed around them. Local workshops were followed by a national knowledge exchange workshop to connect sites and consider both local and national recommendations.Findings The recommendations included the five following quality improvement and care standards: (1) better connections between local services for preventative care, (2) build capacity among the workforce, (3) co-design trauma-informed standards for mental health inpatient care, (4) provide talking therapy before, during and after detention and (5) personalise discharge and community support plans. The need for the resources was supported by the sites, with implementation responsibilities placed in different groups in each Trust.Conclusion People from across the systems involved in the delivery of mental healthcare, including patients and carers, have highlighted opportunities and mechanisms to prevent detention and improve the quality and safety of care.Clinical implications We present five policy recommendations that could inform quality improvement evaluations in local systems in relation to national systems frameworks such as the Patient Carer Race Equality Framework.

Source: BMJ Mental Health

DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2026-302715