CQC chief inspectors have shared the latest guidance which sets out their approach to regulation during the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be reviewed here.

Further specific guidance has been released by CQC on the management of patients detained under the Mental Health Act, where they are transferred to an acute hospital for specialist care because it has been confirmed or is suspected that they are infected with COVID-19

Guidance states:
In some cases, mental health service providers may discharge the patient from the Mental Health Act before transferring the patient to the care of the acute hospital.
Although these patients are technically no longer subject to the Mental Health Act, in instances where these patients then die as a result of COVID-19 we ask mental health providers to notify CQC of the death using the amended regulation 17 form – notification of death of a service user who is detained or liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Additional information can be provided in the “Any other relevant information” section of the form to give details of the date the patient was discharged from the Mental Health Act and the date the patient transferred to the acute hospital.

This will allow us to continue to monitor how COVID-19 is affecting patients detained under the Mental Health Act and identify which mental health services are most affected.

The updated form can be found here.