Mental Health admissions procedures in Lewisham could cause ‘distress’ as patients with different diagnosis are given beds on the same wards, according to a new report.

Any mental health patient above the age of 65 is currently offered the first available bed regardless of their diagnosis.

Consequently a mix of patients with different disorders are placed on the same ward which could cause ‘distress’, according to the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM).

The example given in a report is that “a patient with severe anxiety or depression may be distressed by being on a ward with people with severe dementia and agitation.”

The report, published on July 17, said that separate wards are needed to prevent this.

Proposals for one acute dementia unit, at Chelsham House at Bethlem Royal Hospital site, and two units for people with ‘functional disorders’ at Maudsley Hospital and University Hospital Lewisham, are outlined in the report.

‘Functional disorders’ are described as ‘psychotic, mood and anxiety’ conditions.

There are currently 54 beds across the three sites which would not change if the proposals go ahead.

A Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) between the London boroughs of Lewisham, Croydon, Southwark and Lambeth will be set up to consult on the proposals.