An increasing number of mental health patients in Kirklees and Calderdale are being detained for their own safety, according to official figures.
The number of sections made in the two boroughs – as well as Wakefield and Barnsley – rose by more than a third (36%) in the last two years.
Some 395 sections were made in 2015 in the four boroughs compared to 291 in 2013, according to the Health and Social Care Information Centre.
And while the number of orders increased by 13% across England in the same period, figures rose more sharply in Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield and Barnsley.
Clr Andrew Marchington, who sits on Kirklees Council’s Heath and Social Care Scrutiny Panel, said the increase was a matter for concern.
The Golcar councillor said: “Any increase is a concern and we will be questioning this.”
On March 31, 275 people were in secure accommodation for their own safety, compared to 205 people on the same day in 2013, an increase of over a third (34%).
Again the rise in the four boroughs covered by South West Yorkshire Foundation Trust (SWYFT) was markedly steeper than that across the UK (16%).
The number of orders made under the 1983 Mental Health Act also increased from 325 last year to 395 this year, an increase of almost a quarter (22%) which was significantly higher than the rate of increase across England (8%).
Concern has been expressed that NHS services are failing to nip mental health issues in the bud, leading to an increase in patients suffering from acute conditions that require treatment in secure accommodation.
Clr Marchington said: “I will definitely raise this issue with SWYFT at the next scrutiny meeting.
But he also added: “If it means they are receiving the appropriate care that’s OK – but we don’t want people being deprived of their liberty except in exceptional circumstances.”
SWYFT chief executive Steven Michael said: “In 2011 we provided services for people in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield but also took over services for the Barnsley area in May 2011. Our figures since then have reflected this information.
“Our trust provides mental health services throughout our local communities. We work in partnership with local organisations including GPs, hospitals and the police to identify people’s needs quickly and provide them with support to manage their health in their own home.
“We continually build on these services and are also working with our commissioners to develop mental health crisis and community services as a part of the National Crisis Concordat. The concordat brings together NHS services, West Yorkshire Police and ambulance services.”
