Mental health. Open and shut case.

Acute mental care consumes about two-thirds of all mental health spending. But many beds are blocked by patients who no longer need intensive support. They stay in hospital because of a lack of alternative services. If each patient left hospital when they were deemed ready, inpatient costs would be almost halved. More than a third of these patients are re-admissions. A range of alternative crisis services, including 24-hour nursing care and staffed hostels, are needed.