mental health

Bringing together physical and mental health
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functioning as a result of treatment. More than half (55 per cent) had recovered in
the sense that there had been an improvement in mental health to below clinical
thresholds (Parsonage et al 2014). These results compare well to the outcomes
achieved by other mental health services, particularly considering that the PCPCS
works with people with highly complex needs.
There is evidence that the service has also led to a reduction in service use among
patients referred to it. The above evaluation found that over a follow-up period of
22 months, around a third of the costs of providing the service were offset by savings
associated with reduced service use in both primary and secondary care.
Key enablers
••
Initial assessments are conducted by a highly skilled professional.
••
The joint consultation model has facilitated greater trust and better working
relationships between professionals.
••
There was a concerted effort in the recruitment of the PCPCS team to find
staff who wanted to be embedded in primary care, working closely with GPs.
The team see themselves as part of primary care.
••
Commissioners played an active role in the development of the service,
identifying the need for it, and making funding available.
••
The dual function of the service was seen as being critical to its success –
combining direct clinical work with patients with a support and educational
function for primary care.
Further information
• • Tim Kent, Consultant Psychotherapist and Social Worker, The Tavistock and
Portman NHS Foundation Trust. Email: TKent@tavi-port.nhs.uk
Appendices: case study site profiles 82