Recurring concern
Unsafe discharge, closure or withdrawal of mental health services
First reported 16 Jan 2015•Latest report 11 Jan 2026
What this concern includes
Includes premature or otherwise unsafe mental health discharge, case closure or service withdrawal involving inadequate assessment, review of risk, informed agreement, support, follow-up or receiving-service coordination.
Not included
- Ordinary discharge or closure after adequate assessment, current risk review and safe continuity arrangements.
- Missed appointments, referral delay or treatment deficiencies where service involvement was not ended unsafely.
- Inpatient hospital discharge tracked by a more specific supported discharge process unless mental health case closure is also directly asserted.
- Reports
- 17
- Individual concerns
- 19
- Date range
- 2015–2026
- Stated actions
- 22
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to provide coherent community-care planning and care-coordinator involvement at discharge
Premature discharge before the effectiveness of prescribed medication is adequately observed
This report raised 8 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Update CPA and Acute Care Services policies to require a pre-discharge CPA meeting for every homeless inpatient.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Implement SBAR in Home Treatment Team practice and update its operational policy to strengthen multidisciplinary medical-review documentation and decision-making.
Stated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to establish informed agreement before withdrawing mental health services
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
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Action
Emphasise accurate documentation of changed care plans, discussion, rationale and risk review in staff feedback.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Review crisis-team step-down guidance in the Standard Operating Procedure.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Develop an audit providing ongoing assurance about crisis-team step-down decision making.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Share audit findings through the internal lessons-learned bulletin and regular Quality and Risk Meetings.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
Discharge from crisis care was based on immediate needs, an open mental health referral, and the option to re-refer if circumstances changed.
Stated by Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide follow-up after community mental health assessment
This report raised 1 other concern. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.2
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Position
The assessment found low suicide risk and sufficiently detailed needs assessment, so discharge after one consultation was considered the right decision.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Position
Existing self-help resources, GP referral routes and CMHT re-referral contacts were considered sufficient without ongoing CMHT follow-up.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide immediate written discharge and high-risk notification to the crisis team
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised2
Failure to offer adequate support at discharge
Premature discharge from community mental health services
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Formulate and obtain approval for standard arrangements ensuring patients seeking second opinions are not prematurely discharged and can access suitable appointments.
Stated by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Discharge without timely and adequate follow-up care for a person remaining at risk
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to establish contact and review non-attendance before discharge from mental health team
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026