Similarly, Gillard and Holley (2014) conclude that there is substantial qualitative evidence that demonstrate benefits at an individual level, with a smaller evidence base for impact on service use and costs. The concept of PSWs is now commonly promoted in UK recovery literature with a considerable increase in the prevalence of PSWs since 2010 (Lloyd-Evans et al 2014). From 2011, the Centre for Mental Health and the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network have been promoting the Recovery “Implementing through Organisational Change” (IMROC) programme within the NHS, whom recommend PSWs (Repper et al 2013). Many UK health trusts are now employing PSWs, including Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, and also Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS foundation trust, which employed up to 80 such individuals from the outset (Basset et al 2010). The Trust which is the site of this study first employed PSWs in October 2014. Currently employing twenty-three PSWs, it plans to continue to expand upon this number. In this trust PSWs first undergo a 12-week training programme before beginning work. Professional attitudes Professional attitudes towards the peer workforce are likely to be important in the implementation and success of PSWs. research has focused on healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards broader user involvement’, ‘service demonstrating generally positive attitudes (Anthony & Crawford 2000; McCann et al 2008). However, such research has also highlighted areas of concern regarding the effectiveness of service user involvement including unsuitable
Similarly, Gillard and Holley (2014) conclude that there is substantial qualitative evidence that demonstrate benefits at an individual level, with a smaller evidence base for impact on service use and costs. The concept of PSWs is now commonly promoted in UK recovery literature with a considerable increase in the prevalence of PSWs since 2010 (Lloyd-Evans et al 2014). From 2011, the Centre for Mental Health and the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network have been promoting the “Implementing Recovery through Organisational Change” (IMROC) programme within the NHS, whom recommend PSWs (Repper et al 2013). Many UK health trusts are now employing PSWs, including Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, and also Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS foundation trust, which employed up to 80 such individuals from the outset (Basset et al 2010). The Trust which is the site of this study first employed PSWs in October 2014. Currently employing twenty-three PSWs, it plans to continue to expand upon this number. In this trust PSWs first undergo a 12-week training programme before beginning work. Professional attitudes Professional attitudes towards the peer workforce are likely to be important in the implementation and success of PSWs. research has focused on healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards broader ‘service user involvement’, demonstrating generally positive attitudes (Anthony & Crawford 2000; McCann et al 2008). However, such research has also highlighted areas of concern regarding the effectiveness of service user involvement including unsuitable
V4_Psychiatrists_views_on_PSWs.docx