Lousia Ovington independent investigation report ... - NHS North East

CHAPTER 7 – PROVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
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Although not necessarily an integral part of community teams, an important
contribution to Louisa Ovington’s care was provided by senior medical staff at a variety
of locations in the north east. These were mainly in the form of outpatient clinics and
whilst not part of the mental health services, her general practitioner also remained in
contact through the mental health staff.
Service modernisation
During the period 2000 to 2006 major developments were taking place to
modernise and improve mental health services throughout England and Wales.
A significant development was the integration of health and social care services.
Whereas previously, social work staff had worked within their own teams managed
and resourced through the county wide social care structures, new partnership
arrangements were put in place, where both health and social care staff would work
together within integrated teams jointly managed by someone from either agency.
This was intended to improve communication and continuity of care and in many
areas appeared to be working very well.
Concurrently, policy guidance was issued as a result of the national service framework
for mental health which required mental health providers to review their community
care arrangements and introduce prescribed new services.
Examples of new services which were prescribed nationally included:
• Crisis resolution /home treatment teams which were intended to act as
gatekeepers to mental health services by often being regarded as the first point of
contact for someone in crisis. They provide assessment to those referred to them
and in consultation with other partner agencies, decide on the most effective
option for problem resolution. This could be by working with service users
intensively at home or working in conjunction with other teams e.g. CMHTs.
• Assertive outreach teams who provide intensive support, particularly at home, to
those with severe mental health problems and who have difficulty engaging with
treatment programmes.
• Early intervention in psychosis teams are specialised teams who identify and
engage those who are at the early stages of psychosis and are often just going
through adolescence. It is generally accepted that a probable diagnosis of
psychosis should be present in order to access this team and once engaged, their
interventions are likely to be intensive.