Mental Health Today, November/December 2014, pp.12-13.
Publisher:
Pavilion
Place of publication:
Hove
In order to help statutory and voluntary sector services to support and meet the needs of people in a mental health crisis more effectively in Manchester, a Manchester's Crisis Provider's Forum was set up. It brings together representatives from Manchester's Mental Health Home Treatment Teams (MHHTs), Greater Manchester Police, voluntary sector organsiations, A&E psychiatric liason services, and Turning Point's Crisis Point service. Through partnership working the Forum aims to undertake a mapping to get a clear view of statutory and voluntary sector crisis provision across Manchester; to develop cross-agency and shared-care working; to identify caps in crisis provision; to promote the range of crisis services available though the development of a stepped care model of mental health crisis provision; and to work collaboratively to improve outcomes.
(Edited publisher abstract)
In order to help statutory and voluntary sector services to support and meet the needs of people in a mental health crisis more effectively in Manchester, a Manchester's Crisis Provider's Forum was set up. It brings together representatives from Manchester's Mental Health Home Treatment Teams (MHHTs), Greater Manchester Police, voluntary sector organsiations, A&E psychiatric liason services, and Turning Point's Crisis Point service. Through partnership working the Forum aims to undertake a mapping to get a clear view of statutory and voluntary sector crisis provision across Manchester; to develop cross-agency and shared-care working; to identify caps in crisis provision; to promote the range of crisis services available though the development of a stepped care model of mental health crisis provision; and to work collaboratively to improve outcomes.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
joint working, voluntary sector, public sector, crisis resolution, mental health problems, mental health services, interagency cooperation;
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust has improved quality of care, reduced lengths of inpatient stay and created essential bed capacity using a patient-led management theory to tackle delayed discharge. The new approach, based on the Theory of Constraints principles, focuses on identifying and tackling constraints. Now when patients are admitted key clinicial and social care tasks are highlighted for action during the service user's journey. These include any potential social, accommodation and welfare issues which are flagged up for discussion with care coordinators and housing agencies.
(Original abstract)
Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust has improved quality of care, reduced lengths of inpatient stay and created essential bed capacity using a patient-led management theory to tackle delayed discharge. The new approach, based on the Theory of Constraints principles, focuses on identifying and tackling constraints. Now when patients are admitted key clinicial and social care tasks are highlighted for action during the service user's journey. These include any potential social, accommodation and welfare issues which are flagged up for discussion with care coordinators and housing agencies.
(Original abstract)
Many women in touch with mental health services have experienced domestic abuse. This article looks at the benefits of a multi-agency approach. It reports on the case of one women whose case went to a multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARAC). MARACs enable professionals from a range of different agencies to share information on high risk domestic abuse cases. A safety plan can then be developed which is co-ordinated by the independent domestic violence adviser.
Many women in touch with mental health services have experienced domestic abuse. This article looks at the benefits of a multi-agency approach. It reports on the case of one women whose case went to a multi-agency risk assessment conferences (MARAC). MARACs enable professionals from a range of different agencies to share information on high risk domestic abuse cases. A safety plan can then be developed which is co-ordinated by the independent domestic violence adviser.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, intervention, mental health problems, mental health services, multidisciplinary services, women, domestic violence;
The barriers to implementing personalisation in mental health services are discussed. The author comments that the progress towards personalised services for mental health service users has not been as speedy as it could have been. She argues that risk perception, service cultures and negotiating the health and social care divide are some of the key areas that are acting as barriers to wholesale implementation. The author suggests that for personalisation to really impact on the experiences of individuals who need support several things need to be addressed and considered. First, risk needs to be considered holistically, with a consideration of the risks the person faces as well as what they may pose. Second, there needs to be a shift in culture and thinking, and the presumption that individuals cannot make choices that are in their own best interests needs to be addressed. Stigma and discrimination have a negative impact on how mental health services operate. Third, there needs to be an awareness out in the practice context that personalisation is not just a social care initiative, but the responsibility of everyone across the community and public services.
The barriers to implementing personalisation in mental health services are discussed. The author comments that the progress towards personalised services for mental health service users has not been as speedy as it could have been. She argues that risk perception, service cultures and negotiating the health and social care divide are some of the key areas that are acting as barriers to wholesale implementation. The author suggests that for personalisation to really impact on the experiences of individuals who need support several things need to be addressed and considered. First, risk needs to be considered holistically, with a consideration of the risks the person faces as well as what they may pose. Second, there needs to be a shift in culture and thinking, and the presumption that individuals cannot make choices that are in their own best interests needs to be addressed. Stigma and discrimination have a negative impact on how mental health services operate. Third, there needs to be an awareness out in the practice context that personalisation is not just a social care initiative, but the responsibility of everyone across the community and public services.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, mental health problems, mental health services, personalisation, self-directed support, attitudes;
Over the last 4 years the Local Government Ombudsman has heard 5 cases of mentally ill people wrongly made bankrupt for not paying their council tax. All these bankruptcies were down to poor interdepartmental communication. While a social service department or housing officials knew that the person was vulnerable, another council official was taking them to court for non-payment. This article discusses the issue of poor communication between the social care and local taxation department, and considers ways to improve this communication. The article also discusses the severe mental health impairment exemption from council tax, arguing that the current definition of ‘a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning’ is too stringent and needs to be redefined.
Over the last 4 years the Local Government Ombudsman has heard 5 cases of mentally ill people wrongly made bankrupt for not paying their council tax. All these bankruptcies were down to poor interdepartmental communication. While a social service department or housing officials knew that the person was vulnerable, another council official was taking them to court for non-payment. This article discusses the issue of poor communication between the social care and local taxation department, and considers ways to improve this communication. The article also discusses the severe mental health impairment exemption from council tax, arguing that the current definition of ‘a severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning’ is too stringent and needs to be redefined.
Subject terms:
information management, interagency cooperation, local authorities, mental health problems, access to information, council tax, debt;
The risk of fire is high amongst people with mental health problems. This article describes how Manchester fire officers have joined forces with the local mental health trust to tackle the problem. The partnership has been in force since March 2009. The partnership has involved the recruitment of an occupational therapist who works as a fire and mental health liaison officer across both organisations. The aims of the project are to: improve the safety of people with mental health needs by providing person centred fire safety assessments and improvements; increase the numbers of high risk and vulnerable people who have access to home fire risk assessments; improve mental health knowledge and awareness; and improve fire safety awareness and risk management strategies within Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The article examines the referral process use by the fire liaison officer, describes how the risk assessment and management functions perform, and ends by strategies used in raising awareness.
The risk of fire is high amongst people with mental health problems. This article describes how Manchester fire officers have joined forces with the local mental health trust to tackle the problem. The partnership has been in force since March 2009. The partnership has involved the recruitment of an occupational therapist who works as a fire and mental health liaison officer across both organisations. The aims of the project are to: improve the safety of people with mental health needs by providing person centred fire safety assessments and improvements; increase the numbers of high risk and vulnerable people who have access to home fire risk assessments; improve mental health knowledge and awareness; and improve fire safety awareness and risk management strategies within Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust. The article examines the referral process use by the fire liaison officer, describes how the risk assessment and management functions perform, and ends by strategies used in raising awareness.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, mental health problems, mental health services, occupational therapists, vulnerable adults, community mental health teams, fire safety, fire services;
Thirty percent of mental health service users and 50% of substance misuse service users experience a combination of mental health and substance misuse problems to a greater or lesser degree. Yet the commissioning of these services remains largely focused on a single diagnosis. This article, including a brief case study, looks at some of the challenges surrounding dual diagnosis, and how the relevant services should respond. The author comments that flexible multidisciplinary and multi-agency training needs to be in place to ensure shared practice and ethos around dual diagnosis, and that commissioning of services needs to recognise and focus more on joint services. Research suggests that people accessing services tend to be experts in their own care, and should be listened to, and that they need access to local services where they do not have to repeat the same conversation simply because professionals fail to share information adequately. The author concludes by stating that by following these simple steps, services and commissioners can greatly improve the outcomes for those with a dual diagnosis.
Thirty percent of mental health service users and 50% of substance misuse service users experience a combination of mental health and substance misuse problems to a greater or lesser degree. Yet the commissioning of these services remains largely focused on a single diagnosis. This article, including a brief case study, looks at some of the challenges surrounding dual diagnosis, and how the relevant services should respond. The author comments that flexible multidisciplinary and multi-agency training needs to be in place to ensure shared practice and ethos around dual diagnosis, and that commissioning of services needs to recognise and focus more on joint services. Research suggests that people accessing services tend to be experts in their own care, and should be listened to, and that they need access to local services where they do not have to repeat the same conversation simply because professionals fail to share information adequately. The author concludes by stating that by following these simple steps, services and commissioners can greatly improve the outcomes for those with a dual diagnosis.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, joint commissioning, mental health problems, multidisciplinary services, substance misuse, case studies, commissioning, dual diagnosis;
This article describes the foundation and work of a multidisciplinary mental health service within a youth offending team in the north of England. Objectives were to: work directly with young offenders; to work in a joined up way with multiple agencies; to provide multidisciplinary consultation to other professionals and to establish and provide an outreach service team. There is some discussion of assessment of need, treatment approaches and risk factors. The article concludes that positive performance indicators suggest that young offenders who have previously been reluctant to engage with a generic child and adolescent mental health service are engaging with this service. Collaborative working has increased, increasing the scope for this group to have their needs met in a comprehensive way.
This article describes the foundation and work of a multidisciplinary mental health service within a youth offending team in the north of England. Objectives were to: work directly with young offenders; to work in a joined up way with multiple agencies; to provide multidisciplinary consultation to other professionals and to establish and provide an outreach service team. There is some discussion of assessment of need, treatment approaches and risk factors. The article concludes that positive performance indicators suggest that young offenders who have previously been reluctant to engage with a generic child and adolescent mental health service are engaging with this service. Collaborative working has increased, increasing the scope for this group to have their needs met in a comprehensive way.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, mental health services, multidisciplinary services, needs, outcomes, young offenders, youth offending teams, attitudes;
This article discusses a self-harm project launched by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). The project linked CAMHS practitioners with teachers at primary schools in order to provide preventive interventions focusing on the problems that lead to self-harm and help young people find alternative methods of problem-solving and seeking help. The project devised a simple screening tool - the vulnerability assessment screening tool (VAST) - which teachers used to assess children about whom they had concerns. The problem has enabled teachers to provide preventive interventions in the classroom, only referring children to CAMHS if intervention fails to reduce the child's VAST score.
This article discusses a self-harm project launched by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). The project linked CAMHS practitioners with teachers at primary schools in order to provide preventive interventions focusing on the problems that lead to self-harm and help young people find alternative methods of problem-solving and seeking help. The project devised a simple screening tool - the vulnerability assessment screening tool (VAST) - which teachers used to assess children about whom they had concerns. The problem has enabled teachers to provide preventive interventions in the classroom, only referring children to CAMHS if intervention fails to reduce the child's VAST score.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, intervention, mental health problems, prevention, primary schools, self-harm, schools, teachers, young people, child and adolescent mental health services, children;
This article reports on the Leeds Deaf Mental Health Partnership, which is made up of deaf and hearing professionals from a range of health and social care services in the public and third sectors with the common aim of providing holistic, integrated mental health services. The article also highlights the poor access to mainstream services and lack of specialist provision for deaf people.
This article reports on the Leeds Deaf Mental Health Partnership, which is made up of deaf and hearing professionals from a range of health and social care services in the public and third sectors with the common aim of providing holistic, integrated mental health services. The article also highlights the poor access to mainstream services and lack of specialist provision for deaf people.
Subject terms:
interagency cooperation, mental health services, access to services, deafness;