Other services that impact onto the care of mental health patients should also be taken into consideration e.g. housing (where there is unmet need for housing with support) which is mainly managed by third sector and the LA commissioned crisis house service which will require investment from the health sector to maintain it in the long-term. The Review Panel feel that the CCG have recognised the vital role that the third/voluntary sector will play in the transformation of mental health services being taken forward by the Deciding Together programme. In particular the Review Panel commend the role of the Deciding Together Advisory Group (chaired by Steve Nash from VOLSAG) which has brought together third sector and service user groups to oversee consultation process and the willingness of third/voluntary sector reps to take a leading role in the development of the programmes proposals. Whilst the third sector already employ clinicians and deliver services for those with complex needs, the CCG will need to include the workforce development needs of the third sector at the same time as those for health and social care sector workforce (with core skills training being applicable to all via Skills for health, Health Education England and Skills for Care). The Review Panel also recommends that the CCG look at the Voluntary and Community Social Enterprise offer when commissioning new areas of services. 5.3.2 Primary care services The Review Team were keen to understand what consideration the CCG had given to the ability of primary care to meet their responsibilities in the proposed clinical scenarios. This is especially important given that a care model that creates an way in” by nature relies on an easy way out with appropriate discharge “easier arrangements in place. The Review Team heard an honest assessment regarding the varying levels of relationships (ranging from to between the inpatient service “good” “developing”) provider and general practice and the acknowledgment of wider system pressure in primary care (which is reflected in primary care across the country). Examples were shared of how some shared care agreements with primary care are in place (e.g. anti-psychotics) and the belief from the NTW clinicians that this model will help as they will have clinicians who can focus on discharge and will therefore have more time to liaise with GPs and other community providers. The CCG were of the need to continue to develop the primary care interface with inpatient mental health services and had formally recognised this through the primary care workstream (led by a GP in Newcastle) under the mental health programme
Other services that impact onto the care of mental health patients should also be taken into consideration e.g. housing (where there is unmet need for housing with support) which is mainly managed by third sector and the LA commissioned crisis house service which will require investment from the health sector to maintain it in the long-term. The Review Panel feel that the CCG have recognised the vital role that the third/voluntary sector will play in the transformation of mental health services being taken forward by the Deciding Together programme. In particular the Review Panel commend the role of the Deciding Together Advisory Group (chaired by Steve Nash from VOLSAG) which has brought together third sector and service user groups to oversee consultation process and the willingness of third/voluntary sector reps to take a leading role in the development of the programmes proposals. Whilst the third sector already employ clinicians and deliver services for those with complex needs, the CCG will need to include the workforce development needs of the third sector at the same time as those for health and social care sector workforce (with core skills training being applicable to all via Skills for health, Health Education England and Skills for Care). The Review Panel also recommends that the CCG look at the Voluntary and Community Social Enterprise offer when commissioning new areas of services. 5.3.2 Primary care services The Review Team were keen to understand what consideration the CCG had given to the ability of primary care to meet their responsibilities in the proposed clinical scenarios. This is especially important given that a care model that creates an “easier way in” by nature relies on an easy way out with appropriate discharge arrangements in place. The Review Team heard an honest assessment regarding the varying levels of relationships (ranging from “good” to “developing”) between the inpatient service provider and general practice and the acknowledgment of wider system pressure in primary care (which is reflected in primary care across the country). Examples were shared of how some shared care agreements with primary care are in place (e.g. anti-psychotics) and the belief from the NTW clinicians that this model will help as they will have clinicians who can focus on discharge and will therefore have more time to liaise with GPs and other community providers. The CCG were of the need to continue to develop the primary care interface with inpatient mental health services and had formally recognised this through the primary care workstream (led by a GP in Newcastle) under the mental health programme
NorthernXEnglandXClinicalXSenateXDecidingXTogetherXIndependentXReviewXReportXFINAL.docx