The Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead

HOSPITAL staff have warned of a surge in mental health patients waiting days at the A&E in recent weeks – including one vulnerable man being admitted for three days along with his cat.

Sources in the Royal Free’s emergency department said the cat had to be admitted after no charities could be found to come and pick it up.

A distant family member took it away when a mental health bed was found for the patient.

“The cat came with the patient in his own cage,” said the NHS worker.

“Both apparently very well behaved. They were there for at least three days. When a mental health place was eventually found for the patient, the cat couldn’t come with him. Calls were made to various pet organisations to see if someone could physically come in to take the cat. All refused.”

They added: “There’s been a massive increase in the amount of mental health patients coming into A&E.”

Patients suffering mental health crises can be admitted to “close observatory” rooms that are attached to the A&E.

The source said there were two “close obs” rooms but “we could have another five and it still wouldn’t be enough”.

Patients who cannot go in the secure rooms are put in beds alongside physically unwell patients.

It often takes days for a bed in a mental health unit to become available.

The Royal College of Nursing has called the long waits facing those in serious mental ill health, and the difficulties faced by A&E staff seeking to care for them, “a scandal in plain sight”.

Rachelle McCarthy, a senior nurse and RCN rep, said: “It is not uncommon for patients with severe mental ill health to wait three days. Many become distressed and I totally understand why. I think if I was sat in an A&E department for three days waiting for a bed, I would be distressed too.”

Earlier this year it published research into “prolonged and degrading” long stays in A&E.

The New Journal has been made aware in recent weeks of concerns that charities are no longer taking in stray cats for rehoming due to being “full”.

The North London Adoption Centre in Junction Road has “closed for intake”.

The RSPCA Friern Barnet Adoption Centre said there was no space left to take any cats in.

It’s “kitten season” in cat world this summer, the New Journal was told.

The Royal Free has a no animals allowed policy although exceptions can be made.

Its policy said: “While not generally permitted, exceptions can be made. A patient’s need for their pet, particularly in end-of-life care, may be considered. Requests for a pet to visit must be made to the ward or department manager and may require consultation with the Infection Prevention and Control Team.”

There are also separate rules for guide dogs.

A Royal Free spokesperson said: “Like other trusts in London, our emergency departments continue to see a large number of patients who require mental health support. We work very closely with local mental health providers to ensure patients can receive appropriate ongoing care in the environment which is best suited to their needs.”

“A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “People with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, and we know that many NHS staff feel burnt out and demoralised, having been overworked for years.

“That’s why this government is investing an extra £680m in mental health services this year, to help recruit 8,500 more mental health workers, and put mental health support in every school.”