Welcome to M.H.R.T
Independent Mental Health Research
Mental Health Research Team is an independent initiative dedicated to examining how mental health services operate in practice. Our work focuses on patient safety, workforce wellbeing, access to care, service pressures, and the real-world experiences of those delivering and receiving support.
Current Research
Published
BMJ Rapid Response – Published 26th March 2026
Published in response to BMJ coverage of out-of-area mental health placements, this article examines whether current pressures reflect a failure of community care or an implementation gap between demand and available capacity.
Mental health service capacity and the implementation gap in community care
Read the BMJ Rapid Response
Manuscript submitted to BJPsych Bulletin for Peer Review
The Implementation Gap: Evaluating Mental Health Service Capacity Following the Transition from Institutional Care to Community-Based Services in England: Findings from a 1,013-Response Independent Survey
Independent Mental Health Survey
Our independent survey collected 1,013 valid responses from mental health professionals, service users, carers and support workers across the UK and internationally.
Key findings included:
- 91.2% reported psychiatric beds are not available when needed
- 83.8% reported decisions are often driven by bed availability rather than clinical need
- 97.9% identified significant risks arising from delays in accessing support
- Strong links were identified between service gaps, homelessness, repeated crisis presentations, and involvement with the criminal justice system
Executive Summary Available
Current Research & forthcoming book
Mental Health from Inside the Asylum
A forthcoming book by Samuel Taylor former RNMS, RMN examining the history and transformation of institutional mental healthcare in Britain, drawing on historical research, contemporary evidence and first-hand professional experience.
The project explores the transition from the large psychiatric hospital system to community-based care, including hospital closures, psychiatric bed capacity and the continuing debate around access to appropriate inpatient care.
Contact
Research & Media Enquiries
📧 research@mhrt.co.uk
📧 media@mhrt.co.uk