Almost 6,000 mental health patients were sent up to 587 miles from home last year, according to data obtained by the British Medical Association.
NHS data shows that the number of patients with mental health problems who travelled miles for care in England has risen 40% over the few years. Figures show the numbers went from 4,213 in 2014-16 to 5,876 in 2016-17.
One patient was even made to travel 587 miles from Somerset in the South West of England to the Scottish Highlands for help. The BMA found patients sent away could expect an average round-trip journey time of seven and a half hours to see friends and family.
Share your experiences
We want to hear from mental health patients who have been forced to travel for treatment. How far away did you go? How did this affect you? What do you think of the new figures? We also want to hear from the patient’s family – how did it affect you? Share your stories with us in the form below.
- As this is a sensitive topic, please be reassured that we will not share or publish any personal details without obtaining contributors’ permission first.
