scholarly journals Enhancing social networks: a qualitative study of health and social care practice in UK mental health services

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Webber ◽  
Hannah Reidy ◽  
David Ansari ◽  
Martin Stevens ◽  
David Morris
2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (11) ◽  
pp. 401-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Holloway

SummaryThe Health and Social Care Act 2012 brings in profound changes to the organisation of healthcare in England. These changes are briefly described and their implications for mental health services are explored. They occur as the National Health Service (NHS) and social care are experiencing significant financial cuts, the payment by results regime is being introduced for mental health and the NHS is pursuing the personalisation agenda. Psychiatrists have an opportunity to influence the commissioning of mental health services if they understand the organisational changes and work within the new commissioning structures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhathika Perera ◽  
Ken Courtenay

Purpose Services for people with intellectual disabilities in the UK have evolved over the years from hospital-based care to more community provision. There are multiple reasons for these changes, however, often it was due to changes in social policy or following a scandal in provision. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Providing services to meet the health and social care needs of people with intellectual disabilities is well-established in the four countries of the UK with support from legislation. There are often specialist mental health and social care teams. Dedicated professionals work with people with intellectual disabilities who experience mental health problems with a focus on support in the community. A range of services for children and adults and for offenders exist across the UK that often vary in composition and structure. Findings The challenges in providing mental health services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities in the future include recruitment and training of the workforce with the remit of enhancing community support and reduced in-patient care. Practical implications This paper helps the reader to understand how ID mental health services are organised in the UK. Originality/value This paper gives a summary of the ID mental health services in the UK. Even though there are various papers looking at different aspects of mental health services for people with ID in the UK, this paper brings all that information together to help reader get a better understanding of the mental health services for people with ID.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp19X703373
Author(s):  
Alisha Patel

BackgroundNHS mental health services are under pressure due to chronic underfunding and constrained resources. The Health & Social Care Act implemented an extensive restructure of the NHS and introduced three new legal duties: duty to arrange, promote competition, and integrate services.AimTo establish how the Health and Social Care Act 2012 affected commissioning of mental health services in England and how the duties are being fulfilled.MethodFreedom of Information (FOI) requests were sent to all 211 clinical commissioning groups in England. The number, value, and length of all contracts for mental health services were requested from 2013 to 2016 by type and name of provider; as well as a range of quality and performance data.ResultsThe FOI received a 93% response rate. CCGs commissioned between 1–127 contracts each: 65.3% of all contracts were awarded to the third sector (private for profit, not for profit, and voluntary organisations), amounting to 6% of the total value of contracts commissioned. NHS foundation trusts were awarded 25% of contracts, worth 70% of the total value of contracts. 71% of contracts had no evidence of quality monitoring.ConclusionThe high volume and low value of contracts commissioned to third sector organisations fulfils the new duty to arrange but not to integrate; showing considerable fragmentation of mental health provision. The emerging external market is a result of the Health & Social Care Act promoting diversification of the provider market. Finally, the lack of quality and performance data raises concerns over the transparency and accountability of an NHS that is increasingly being provided by companies.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Gasteiger ◽  
Theresa Fleming ◽  
K Day

© 2020 The Authors Background: Patient portals have the potential to increase access to mental health services. However, a lack of research is available to guide practices on extending patient portals into mental health services. This study explored stakeholder (student service users' and health providers') expectations and perceptions of extending patient portals into a New Zealand university-based mental health service. Materials and methods: This qualitative study explored the perspectives of 17 students and staff members at a university-based health and counselling service on an Internet-based patient portal through a software demonstration, two focus groups and 13 interviews. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Staff and students perceived the patient portal as useful, easy to use and expected it to help make mental health care more accessible. Staff were most concerned with the portal's ability to support their triage processes and that it might enable students to ‘counselor hop’ (see multiple counselors). Staff recommended extension into services that do not require triage. Most students expected the portal to enhance patient-counselor contact and rapport, through continuity of care. Students were concerned with appointment waiting times, the stigmatization of poor mental health and their capacity to seek help. They considered the portal might assist with this. Students recommended extension into all services, including urgent appointments. After viewing findings from initial student and staff groups, staff concluded that extending a patient portal into their counseling services should be prioritized. Conclusion: This research suggests that there is value in extending patient portals into mental health care, especially into low-risk services. Future research should explore opportunities to support triage and appointment-making processes for mental health services, via patient portals.


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