Recurring concern
Unreliable documentation of mental health assessments
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Request correctionFirst reported 2 Nov 2018•Latest report 27 May 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures to complete, accurately record or retain templates, proformas and equivalent records documenting mental health assessments, mental-health presentations or associated welfare findings when the record is required for safe care, handover, review or escalation.
Not included
- Excludes general clinical-record deficiencies where the missing information is not part of a mental health assessment or associated welfare assessment record.
- Excludes failures to perform or clinically conduct a mental health assessment when documentation is not the deficient control.
- Excludes care plans, risk assessments and treatment records when they are not the documentation of a mental health assessment or associated welfare finding.
- Excludes generic staff training, communication or policy deficiencies unless they directly cause incomplete documentation of a mental health assessment.
- Reports
- 9
- Individual concerns
- 10
- Date range
- 2018–2026
- Stated actions
- 13
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 raised1
Inclusion of inaccurate patient information in AMHP assessment documentation
This report raised 18 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.
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 AMHP service falls outside the Trust’s remit because it is provided by Essex County Council.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Position
Essex County Council, which provides the AMHP service, is best placed to respond to concerns about that service.
Stated by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to accurately record changes in mental health diagnosis in discharge summaries
This report raised 7 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 document and identify co-occurring mental health and alcohol dependency disorders
This report raised 10 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.5
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Action
Operate an internal Co-Occurring Conditions group to develop a Trust-wide strategy, service offer and staff training.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Review and update the Trust Co-Occurring Conditions Policy for publication.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Deliver co-occurring-conditions training using the Dual Diagnosis Capability Framework, experts by experience and initial Wigan-focused workforce development, then share learning across the Trust.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Develop and provide formulation training for clinical staff across the Community and Acute Care Groups.
Stated by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Embed revised pathways with enhanced outreach, improved crisis interfaces and stronger support for co-occurring conditions during the third and fourth quarters of 2026/27.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
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Concerns raised1
Failure to document mental health assessments when no recording location is available
This report raised 11 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
Provide funding to ensure NHS Trusts have electronic patient records implemented.
Stated by NHS England
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
Investigating or acting against individual healthcare professionals falls outside the regulator’s authority.
Stated by Care Quality Commission
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Concerns raised1
Poor documentation of mental health assessment content
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.1
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Action
Provide paper copies of clinical templates for use when electronic templates are inaccessible.
Stated by gtd healthcare
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
Concerns about care and documentation should be addressed by the provider, rather than NHS England or the CQC.
Stated by Department of Health and Social Care
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Concerns raised2
Failure to provide formal written LDS mental health assessments to police
Lack of formal documentation procedures for LDS and police custody care
This report raised 10 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.6
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Action
Develop a standard template and guidance with NPCC and CPS for transferring relevant Liaison and Diversion assessment information to police.
Stated by NHS England -
Action
Record custody risks and concerns discussed with Liaison and Diversion staff on the detainee’s risk assessment and care plan.
Stated by Sussex Police -
Action
Add a standard template for written information shared with police colleagues to the Custody Pathway SOP.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Action
Maintain documented, verbally delivered and CCTV-recorded custody handovers, with live risk updates, shared access, audit trails, staff training and peer review.
Stated by Sussex Police -
Action
Complete and regularly review detainee risk assessments and care plans, recording changing physical or mental health information and responding to identified risks.
Stated by Sussex Police -
Action
Implement the Custody Pathway Standard Operating Procedure for Sussex Liaison and Diversion services.
Stated by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete the mental health assessment template
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.
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete a mental welfare proforma report
This report raised 4 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.
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
Officers need not understand the mental-health proforma data workflow because it does not affect care; existing training and administrator checks suffice.
Stated by Lincolnshire Police
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Concerns raised1
Failure to complete Mental Health Act assessment forms in the required format with the required practitioner information
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.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
Data last updated 7 September 2026