A new report from the NHS Confederation, produced with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, is calling for urgent reforms to eliminate inappropriate out-of-area placements for people with acute mental health needs.
The report highlights that too many patients are still being sent far from home for care due to a lack of local capacity—despite longstanding national commitments to end the practice.
Being treated away from home can have serious consequences, including disrupted recovery, reduced family support, and poorer continuity of care.
Key findings
- Patients are still being sent hundreds of miles away for treatment when local beds are unavailable
- Out-of-area placements can delay recovery and increase distress for patients and families
- The issue reflects wider pressures on mental health services, including rising demand and limited capacity
- Previous government targets to eliminate the practice have not been met
What the report recommends
The report sets out a series of actions for national and local leaders to reduce and ultimately eliminate inappropriate placements:
- Increase local bed capacity to better match demand
- Invest in community mental health services to prevent crises
- Improve patient flow and discharge processes
- Encourage collaboration across regions, including shared “bed-pooling” approaches
- Strengthen the mental health workforce to meet growing demand
A system under pressure
The findings underline how out-of-area placements are often a symptom of deeper system challenges, including workforce shortages and increasing mental health needs.
While examples of good practice show reductions are possible, the report stresses that sustained national action is needed to ensure patients receive care closer to home.
Bottom line: Without coordinated investment and reform, inappropriate out-of-area placements will continue to impact patient outcomes and place additional strain on the NHS.
Source: NHS Confederation
Join us:
Eliminating Inappropriate Out of Area Placements in Mental Health
CPD Conference | Thursday 14th May 2026 | Virtual, Online
This conference will share the latest developments and challenges in reducing the use of out of area placements for people with mental health issues, through a confirmed lineup of speakers from the NHS as well as case study examples of best practice and a lived experience perspective. Topics will include the latest initiatives, the use of data-driven decision making, and the ethical and legal considerations involved.
Book your place: www.healthcareconferencesuk.co.uk/virtual-online-courses/eliminating-inappropriate-out-of-area-placements-in-mental-health
