scholarly journals Involving service users to identify research priorities in a UK forensic mental health service

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Anne Aboaja ◽  
Bunny Forsyth ◽  
Helen Bates ◽  
Robert Wood

Aims and method Patient and public involvement (PPI) is a priority for health research. PPI improves the relevance and quality of research. The study aimed to involve service users in identifying research priorities for the service. A two-phase adapted Delphi technique was used to generate a list of research topics from service users in secure in-patient mental health settings and on specialist mental health prison wings. Topic content analysis was undertaken. Service users were further consulted, and research themes were ranked in order of priority. Results Of the eight research themes identified, the three given the highest priority by service users were, in descending order, physical health, future plans and moving on, and causes of illness and crime. Clinical implications Service users are willing to be involved in setting research priorities for mental health services. Through non-tokenistic PPI, service users can uniquely shape the research agenda of mental health services.

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S150-S150
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicholls-Mindlin ◽  
Digby Quested ◽  
Matthew Taylor ◽  
Lauren Fuzi ◽  
David Gee

AimsTo develop an evidence based, patient centred treatment pathway for people experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD), modifiable to include local resources.MethodThis project was developed in line with current approaches to service development such as coproduction, with patient and public involvement (PPI) and enhancing personalisation of treatment in medicine. As part of a local initiative, a multi-disciplinary team was brought together to understand and analyse the current local pathway for those affected by BD. It was found that the approach to assessment and management was not consistent between locality teams. Two experts by experience who have a diagnosis of BD were invited to become involved with the development of the pathway. Meetings were set up to enable coproduction and elicit information from those with the diagnosis. The responses provided insight into the effectiveness of different approaches used nationally to inform the methods and resources that are most helpful and appropriate to comprehensively support those with the illness.NICE guideline evidence was used to create two algorithms to streamline the care of those with BD in both primary and secondary care. These algorithms include pharmacological, psychological and social approaches. It also considers the junctions at which referrals should be made and the criteria on which decisions are based.ResultOne algorithm was designed for use in primary care and will be distributed to local GPs to clarify the initial steps for assessment and management of BD and the criteria for referral. A second decision tree will be made available to all doctors working in mental health services with detailed medication options, when they are appropriate and whether additional psychological intervention should be considered e.g. post-discharge groups. Other specialist options such as Early Intervention for Psychosis and Perinatal Mental Health Services were also included. An information pack was created to be offered to all those with a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of BD. This contains useful resources such as skills and exercises that patients may find of benefit, external resources and websites regarding additional support and further information on BD, its nature and management.ConclusionThe approach and resources collated here will help to streamline the management of those with bipolar disorder whilst also ensuring a more consistent approach. The involvement of experts by experience and the incorporation of NICE guidelines ensures a well-rounded and comprehensive set of documents that will be helpful to both clinicians and patients.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S149-S150
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicholls-Mindlin ◽  
Angus McLellan ◽  
David Gee ◽  
Lauren Fuzi ◽  
Matthew Taylor ◽  
...  

AimsTo develop an evidence based, patient centred treatment pathway for people experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder (BD), modifiable to include local resources.MethodThis project was developed in line with current approaches to service development such as coproduction, with patient and public involvement (PPI) and enhancing personalisation of treatment in medicine. As part of a local initiative, a multi-disciplinary team was brought together to understand and analyse the current local pathway for those affected by BD. It was found that the approach to assessment and management was not consistent between locality teams. Two experts by experience who have a diagnosis of BD were invited to become involved with the development of the pathway. Meetings were set up to enable coproduction and elicit information from those with the diagnosis. The responses provided insight into the effectiveness of different approaches used nationally to inform the methods and resources that are most helpful and appropriate to comprehensively support those with the illness.NICE guideline evidence was used to create two algorithms to streamline the care of those with BD in both primary and secondary care. These algorithms include pharmacological, psychological and social approaches. It also considers the junctions at which referrals should be made and the criteria on which decisions are based.ResultOne algorithm was designed for use in primary care and will be distributed to local GPs to clarify the initial steps for assessment and management of BD and the criteria for referral. A second decision tree will be made available to all doctors working in mental health services with detailed medication options, when they are appropriate and whether additional psychological intervention should be considered e.g. post-discharge groups. Other specialist options such as Early Intervention for Psychosis and Perinatal Mental Health Services were also included. An information pack was created to be offered to all those with a diagnosis or possible diagnosis of BD. This contains useful resources such as skills and exercises that patients may find of benefit, external resources and websites regarding additional support and further information on BD, its nature and management.ConclusionThe approach and resources collated here will help to streamline the management of those with bipolar disorder whilst also ensuring a more consistent approach. The involvement of experts by experience and the incorporation of NICE guidelines ensures a well-rounded and comprehensive set of documents that will be helpful to both clinicians and patients.


2003 ◽  
Vol 183 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Simpson ◽  
A. O. House

The Department of Health has emphasised the need for a patient-centred National Health Service (NHS), and the involvement of users and carers in mental health services is often a policy recommendation (Mental Health Task Force User Group, 1995; NHS Health Advisory Service, 1997; Department of Health, 1999a,b, 2001). The Patients' Forum and Consumers in NHS Research are established national bodies concerned with stakeholder involvement. The Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health was established in 2003.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e049210
Author(s):  
Elisa Liberati ◽  
Natalie Richards ◽  
Jennie Parker ◽  
Janet Willars ◽  
David Scott ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the experiences of service users, carers and staff seeking or providing secondary mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic.DesignQualitative interview study, codesigned with mental health service users and carers.MethodsWe conducted semistructured, telephone or online interviews with a purposively constructed sample; a lived experience researcher conducted and analysed interviews with service users. Analysis was based on the constant comparison method.SettingNational Health Service (NHS) secondary mental health services in England between June and August 2020.ParticipantsOf 65 participants, 20 had either accessed or needed to access English secondary mental healthcare during the pandemic; 10 were carers of people with mental health difficulties; 35 were members of staff working in NHS secondary mental health services during the pandemic.ResultsExperiences of remote care were mixed. Some service users valued the convenience of remote methods in the context of maintaining contact with familiar clinicians. Most participants commented that a lack of non-verbal cues and the loss of a therapeutic ‘safe space’ challenged therapeutic relationship building, assessments and identification of deteriorating mental well-being. Some carers felt excluded from remote meetings and concerned that assessments were incomplete without their input. Like service users, remote methods posed challenges for clinicians who reported uncertainty about technical options and a lack of training. All groups expressed concern about intersectionality exacerbating inequalities and the exclusion of some service user groups if alternatives to remote care are lost.ConclusionsThough remote mental healthcare is likely to become increasingly widespread in secondary mental health services, our findings highlight the continued importance of a tailored, personal approach to decision making in this area. Further research should focus on which types of consultations best suit face-to-face interaction, and for whom and why, and which can be provided remotely and by which medium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-12
Author(s):  
Sue Holttum

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine three recent papers on mental health services and how they support recovery following a diagnosis of a severe mental health condition. Design/methodology/approach A search was carried out for recent papers on mental health and recovery. The author selected three papers that seemed to advance understanding of not only whether, but also how recovery of a meaningful life may be best supported in mental health services. Findings One paper suggested how staff were able to support service users’ personal goals and focus on recovery in acute inpatient settings, and what got in the way. The author suggests practical ways to address the barriers. A second paper reported the testing of a new model for supporting staff in primary and secondary care to work together so that service users with a diagnosis of bipolar or schizophrenia were better supported to work towards valued goals. A third paper reviewed 40 studies of how people can experience positive change after a first diagnosis of psychosis, and how change happened. Originality/value By studying the issues in detail, all three papers show how improved support for recovery and inclusion can be implemented against the backdrop of many years of service shortcomings.


Author(s):  
Saiqa Naz ◽  
Romilly Gregory ◽  
Meera Bahu

AbstractConversations around improving access to psychological therapies for BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) service users have been ongoing for many years without any conclusion or resolution. BAME service users are often under-represented in primary care mental health services, and often have worse outcomes, leading to them being portrayed as ‘hard to reach’, and to deterioration in their mental health. They are over-represented in secondary care mental health services. The authors of this article argue that more resources are required in order to understand the barriers to accessing mental health services, and improve both access and recovery for BAME service users. This paper examines concepts such as race, ethnicity and culture. It aims to support service managers and therapists to develop their confidence to address these issues in order to deliver culturally competent psychological therapies to service users from BAME communities, with a focus on primary care. It is based on our experiences of working with BAME communities and the feedback from our training events on developing cultural competence for CBT therapists. The paper also discusses the current political climate and the impact it may have on service users and the need for therapists to take the wider political context into consideration when working with BAME service users. Finally, the paper stresses the importance of addressing structural inequalities at a service level, and developing stronger ethical guidelines in the area of working with diversity for CBT therapists in the UK.Key learning aims(1)To examine concepts such as race, ethnicity and culture and to provide a shared understanding of these terms for CBT therapists.(2)To assist CBT therapists and supervisors to develop their confidence in addressing issues of race, ethnicity and culture with BAME service users within the current political climate and to deliver culturally competent therapy.(3)To assist service managers to promote equality of access and of outcomes for service users from BAME communities.(4)To understand how unequal expectations of therapists in services impacts on CBT therapists from BAME communities.(5)To widen understanding of some of the structural inequalities at service level which the CBT community needs to overcome, including recommending stronger ethical guidelines around working with diversity in the UK.


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