scholarly journals Pilot project: easy read psychiatry clinic appointment outcome letters

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S219-S220
Author(s):  
Anu Sharma ◽  
Indermeet Sawhney
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Accessible Information ◽  
Current Medication ◽  
Simple Language ◽  
Review Form ◽  
Patients With Special Needs ◽  
Clinic Practice

AimsTo improve communication with patients and carers by sharing information in an easily comprehensible manner.BackgroundAccording to the department of health guidelines, there is legal requirement to provide copies all clinical correspondence to the patients. Therefore, after any clinic review, letters summarizing the consultation are sent out to GP and patients are copied in. However, these are not very meaningful for patients with special needs, as they struggle to comprehend information. Previous studies have shown that patients with learning disability would prefer letters in a simple language and would also like to participate in the decision making process. According to Accessible Information Standard, we have a legal obligation to deliver information to our service users in an easily understandable manner. We undertook a quality improvement pilot project of easy read templates to improve the understanding of patients and their carers/families.MethodA standard easy read template was co-produced after collecting feedback from different service users and clinicians. Pictures were incorporated into the questionnaire to facilitate understanding. We collected reviews over a period of 2 months from Nov 2019- Dec 2019. This proforma did not replace the routine clinic letter send out to the GP and the patients. This easy read template began with the introduction of the doctor (with photograph) and it encompassed mental health, physical health, current medication (and the benefits and side effects if any) and changes of medication. It also included epilepsy and the risks (risks to self and to others), vulnerability, behaviours of concern and the day-to-day activities that a service user engages in and finally about the plan formulated at the end of the consultation. At the same time, there was a separate form (with self-explanatory pictures), which collected feedback about the above mentioned appointment outcome review form.ResultTemplates were handed out to 65 patients and carers, and 60 completed the form. All patients found the template useful and helpful, mainly because it was easily comprehensible, with pictures, and also “provided instant updates”.ConclusionThis easy read template improves patients’ understanding and participation in the clinic review. This contributes to greater patient satisfaction. As Specialist Learning Disability services, we need to ensure that information is imparted to the patients and the carers in an easily understandable manner and this easy read template should be incorporated in the routine clinic practice.

scholarly journals Should there be a Faculty of Learning Disability Psychiatry?

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Great Britain ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Mental Deficiency ◽  
White Paper ◽  
Social Effects ◽  
Learning Difficulty ◽  
Service Users ◽  
The Past ◽  
Department Of Health

Does the completion of the closure of the old ‘mental deficiency’ hospitals in Great Britain mean that the relevance of learning disability as a major sub-speciality of psychiatry has been lost? In the past 10 or 20 years many non-psychiatrists, including service users, have blamed learning disability specialist psychiatrists for these hospitals and for many of the adverse social effects of being labelled as having a learning difficulty. With the new White Paper, Valuing People (Department of Health, 2001), is the role of the Faculty changing?

scholarly journals The potential impacts of community drug checking within the overdose crisis: qualitative study exploring the perspective of prospective service users

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Wallace ◽  
Thea van Roode ◽  
Flora Pagan ◽  
Dennis Hore ◽  
Bernadette Pauly
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Drug Market ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Socioecological Model ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Universal Approach ◽  
Drug Checking ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background As drug checking becomes more integrated within public health responses to the overdose crisis, and potentially more institutionalized, there is value in critically questioning the impacts of drug checking as a harm reduction response. Methods As part of a pilot project to implement community drug checking in Victoria, BC, Canada, in-depth interviews (N = 27) were held with people who use or have used substances, family or friends of people who use substances, and/or people who make or distribute substances. Critical harm reduction and social justice perspectives and a socioecological model guided our analysis to understand the potential role of drug checking within the overdose crisis, from the perspective of prospective service users. Results Participants provided insight into who might benefit from community drug checking and potential benefits. They indicated drug checking addresses a “shared need” that could benefit people who use substances, people who care for people who use substances, and people who sell substances. Using a socioecological model, we identified four overarching themes corresponding to benefits at each level: “drug checking to improve health and wellbeing of people who use substances”, “drug checking to increase quality control in an unregulated market”, “drug checking to create healthier environments”, and “drug checking to mediate policies around substance use”. Conclusions Drug checking requires a universal approach to meet the needs of diverse populations who use substances, and must not be focused on abstinence based outcomes. As a harm reduction response, community drug checking has potential impacts beyond the individual level. These include increasing power and accountability within the illicit drug market, improving the health of communities, supporting safer supply initiatives and regulation of substances, and mitigating harms of criminalization. Evaluation of drug checking should consider potential impacts that extend beyond individual behaviour change and recognize lived realities and structural conditions.

Healing touch: Using the arts to increase healthy touch between people with PMLD and their carers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85
Author(s):  
Leonie Elliott-Graves
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
Performing Arts ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Healing Touch ◽  
Adults With Learning Disabilities ◽  
Positive Touch

For adults with learning disabilities, touch is a necessary element of their everyday care. Yet touch delivered by care providers is a contentious and marginal practice, which is often avoided due to fears of abuse allegations, and the effects of touch avoidance can be significantly detrimental to the quality of care provided. The Safe Touch pilot project, developed with a London-based organization providing care to adults with learning disabilities, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), used performing arts practices and massage to help the staff develop and utilize ‘positive’ touch – touch for communication, interaction and well-being – when working with service users. Fifteen service users with learning disabilities and PMLD along with the organization’s staff participated in the project. Drawing on the project’s processes and findings, some successes and limitations in employing performing arts activities with care staff to increase the use of positive touch with people with PMLD were identified.

scholarly journals Increasing staff confidence about domestic abuse identification, disclosure and safeguarding in a community mental health team

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S146-S147
Author(s):  
Beth McCausland ◽  
Nicola Minicozzi ◽  
Siobhan O'Halloran ◽  
Avril Ward ◽  
Kerry Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Trust Management ◽  
Domestic Abuse ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team

AimsTo increase staff confidence about identifying Domestic Abuse (DA), particularly regarding ‘how to ask’ to encourage disclosure and the pathways available for appropriately safeguarding survivors; in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) setting.BackgroundDA is bi-directionally associated with mental health (MH) disorders; 1:4 women in contact with MH services are currently experiencing DA. MH professionals (MHPs) are in a privileged position to identify DA and support survivors. However, this is dependent on MHPs receiving adequate training about DA. For this, we collaborated with Pathfinder, a national pilot project run by a consortium of five expert partners that aims to establish comprehensive health practice in relation to DA and Violence Against Women & Girls in Acute Hospital Trusts, MH Trusts and Primary Care. In Southampton, Pathfinder has funded two domestic and sexual abuse (DSA) advocates to both train MH staff and take a small caseload of MH service users who are experiencing abuse.MethodWe conducted a baseline survey of staff confidence across the following domains:Knowing the legal definition of DA,The process used to escalate a DA concern,How to make a referral,How to complete DASH forms,How and when to refer to Pathfinder,What the following acronyms mean: PIPPA, MAPPA, MARAC, IDVA, DASH,What HRDA and MASH mean,How to ask about DA,Who to signpost service users to if they make a disclosure, and when to involve the police.We presented the survey results at the regional Pathfinder strategic group, with Trust management representatives present. This project fits within the strategic group's sustainability aims to increase DA awareness and safeguarding processes across the Trust.The Pathfinder funded DSA Advisors delivered a four-hour training package targeting the surveyed questions and wider information on DA. We then re-surveyed to see if staff confidence had increased. We are currently analyzing the number of referrals to the Pathfinder service pre- and post-training.ResultStaff confidence increased across all domains following the training (% mean increase): Qs1 (35%), Qs2 (9%), Qs3 (45%), Qs4 (81%), Qs5 (25%), Qs6 (49%), Qs7 (89%), Qs8 (62%) and Qs9 (48%).We have now arranged a bi-monthly drop-in at the CMHT by the DSA advisor who provided the training, to embed the link between the services and maintain staff confidence. We will circulate these results to advocate that this training is provided across the Trust.

scholarly journals Monitoring electrocardiograms of service users on high-dose methadone substitution therapy: an audit

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 489-491
Author(s):  
Soumya Ghosh ◽  
Anil Kodagalli ◽  
Faiz Bhatti ◽  
Timothy Bradbeer
Keyword(s):  
High Dose ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Qtc Interval ◽  
Interval Prolongation ◽  
Substitution Therapy ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Simple Tool ◽  
Qtc Interval Prolongation ◽  
Electrocardiogram Ecg

Aims and methodTo explore the extent to which 2007 Department of Health guidelines on monitoring of high-dose (⩾100 mg) methadone were followed, the reasons for non-adherence to these and the prevalence of QTc prolongation. We developed a simple tool for collecting data from case notes.ResultsOut of 25 service users, 11 had had an electrocardiogram (ECG) and 7 had evidence of requests sent to general practitioners. After implementation of our recommendations, ten more service users had ECGs within 1 month. All but one ECG was normal. Methadone prescribing in favour of lower doses has been observed. QTc interval prolongation was not common.Clinical implicationsEffective communication between primary and secondary care services is important in identifying cases and arranging ECGs.

scholarly journals Clinical practice guidelines: the priorities

1996 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Palmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Guideline Development ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Self Harm

The Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Steering Group commissioned a survey to find out which areas of clinical practice the mental health community view as priority for the development of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). Fifty per cent of all professionals and service users surveyed considered the assessment of risk and management of deliberate self-harm and dangerousness' a priority area for guideline development. These findings provided the basis for a successful bid to the Department of Health for the development of The Royal College of Psychiatrists' first CPG.

scholarly journals Service innovations

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 428-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Hayward ◽  
Steve West ◽  
Moira Green ◽  
Alison Blank
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Policy ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Considerable Confusion ◽  
Staff Recruitment ◽  
And Training

Health policy guidelines state that people who use mental health services should be involved in the development of the services they receive (Department of Health, 1999). Examples of good practice in this respect are reported from staff recruitment (Diamond et al, 2003), research (Trivedi & Wykes, 2002) and training (Repper, 2000; Harper, 2003). However, support for user involvement is not universal (Summers, 2003; Soffe, 2004) and, most significantly, there is considerable confusion about what is meant by involvement. The following case study will address these issues by: (a) adding to the evidence regarding the successful involvement of service users in training; and (b) clarifying the process by which involvement can be safely achieved.

scholarly journals Auditing the care programme approach for people with learning disability: a 4-year audit cycle

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 415-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afia Ali ◽  
Ian Hall ◽  
Claire Taylor ◽  
Stephen Attard ◽  
Angela Hassiotis
Keyword(s):  
Learning Disability ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Disability Services ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Care Programme ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Crisis Plans ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Audit Cycle ◽  
Collection Form

Aims and MethodAnnual audits of the enhanced care programme approach (CPA) were conducted from 2002 to 2005 to evaluate and improve the implementation of CPA in two inner-London community learning disability services. The CPA standards included those stipulated by the Department of Health. The notes of all patients on enhanced CPA were analysed using a structured data collection form.ResultsThere was a gradual improvement in the attainment of targets by both services. Areas of strength included allocating a date for the next CPA review, crisis plans and documentation of service users' comments. Areas of weakness included completion and review of risk assessments and the availability of a care plan for the previous 6 months.Clinical ImplicationsCompleting the audit cycle and reauditing improves attainment of targets and encourages service development, but further progress is required.

scholarly journals Reproductive and sexual health of women service users: what's the fuss?

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Abel ◽  
Sian Rees
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Strategic Development ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
Reproductive And Sexual Health ◽  
Women's Lives

SummaryNearly a decade ago, the Department of Health published its strategic development plan for mental healthcare for women. It focused on the ways in which mental health services for women should be configured to take account of the context of women's lives and the complexity of their health needs. This commentary argues that attention to the reproductive and sexual health of women in mental healthcare is at the centre of a gender-sensitive and modern mental health service.

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