4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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Collaborative Practice and Policy organisations have worked in the past, building effective partnerships can be time consuming, resource intensive and very difficult. Dynamics and Mechanisms of Collaboration A first condition for effective collaboration is to reflect on the principal reasons why collaboration is needed, and what kind of added value could be expected from such efforts. Insight into the different goals of international collaboration could help us to assess and improve the quality of current activities (Hosman 2000) Lasker (2001) highlights that although there has been a lot of research which looks at the various aspects of partnerships and the outcomes related to their effectiveness, the frameworks developed thus far do not identify the mechanism that enables partnership to accomplish more than individuals and organisations on their own. There is a need to conceptualise and measure the proximal outcome of partnership functioning that captures the mechanism making collaboration especially effective. A number of collaborative and partnership projects have taken place in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and in other parts of Europe. From Phase 1 of this project we have seen that on the island of Ireland many projects came together on a cross-border basis for a variety of different reasons. There are many examples of evaluation in health promotion and practice but there are fewer examples of evaluation of the collaboration or partnership aspect. This appears to be particularly true with regard to mental health promotion. However we are now faced with the opportunity to address this. Mental health promotion is now being recognised as an area where more collaboration and joint research is needed. This is clear from the work of STAKES, which is supported by the European Commission, and the work of the World Health Organisation, which has devoted its 2001 report to mental health. Examples of Collaborative Work Examples of collaborative initiatives have been identified in the health literature. While they are not mental health promotion initiatives, nevertheless the findings and results concerning collaboration can be applied to the mental health promotion area. We will first look at a number of initiatives and programmes on the island of Ireland and then look at some projects outside Ireland. The C-BAP Project The C-BAP (Cross-Border Acute Project) developed when the Craigavon Area Hospital Trust (CAHT) in Northern Ireland and the North Eastern Health Board (NEHB) in the Republic of Ireland recognised that not only would provision of a shared dermatology service facilitate the development of a mutual benefit, but through the medium of reciprocal exchanges and joint project activity, opportunities 79
Collaborative Practice and Policy for reconciliation and greater understanding within and between the crossborder communities would be created. This project was evaluated by a team from the University of Ulster (Hayes et al. 2000). Many benefits to this project were documented. Through cross-border working nurses acquired new skills and forged new relationships with colleagues. In addition nurses developed a new sense of energy to their work. Nurses placed great value on the benefits gained and felt that this contact heightened an awareness of similarity rather than differences across the border. Patients surveyed believed firstly that cross-border co-operation in health was possible and in addition it was of benefit to them. Patients surveyed viewed health concerns as an excellent medium for breaking down barriers and felt that collaboration would result in a reduction in waiting lists and an improvement in both the standards and quality of health provision. The readiness of the patients to engage in cross-border co-operation in health issues was seen as an acknowledgement that health concerns do not recognise political boundaries. A strategy was developed and implemented for C-BAP: this proved to be a positive experience that promoted learning and action while at the same time encouraging enthusiasm, solidarity and support between like-minded people. Funding that was made available for the project allowed innovation, experimentation and the dissemination of good practice. The project thus helped to reduce the impact of political frameworks on the provision of health care. There were also apparent barriers to the project. There appeared to be a lack of clarity about the aims and purpose of this work, resulting in a shift away from the original objectives with the cross-border dimension becoming a peripheral aspect of the initiative. In addition, there were deficiencies in the quality and quantity of contact as no joint training took place, and personnel from both jurisdictions appeared to be reluctant to travel across the border for meetings. Shortcomings existed in terms of communication and information mechanisms. It was felt that for effective cross-border co-operation to occur closer liaison between all project staff is required. Active involvement by all members would suggest commitment at a high level. In conclusion, the C-BAP by its very existence showed how understanding and vision are broadened through joint activities. Cross-border Co-operation in Health Services This study was carried out by Jamison et al. (2001) for the Centre for Cross Border Studies. The study focused on initiatives with the greatest potential for future development in health services across the Irish border. The study found that although differences exist between the two health systems, they have common core principles, face common health and service problems, and there are similar approaches to tackling issues. 80
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A Report for the Centre For Cross B
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About the Authors Dr. Margaret Barr
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Acknowledgements We would like to t
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Introductory comments by the Depart
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Background and Rationale 1 There is
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Background and Rationale of mental
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Background and Rationale underlined
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Background and Rationale • Produc
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Project Aims and Objectives 2 This
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Methodology 3 Phase 1: Methodology
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Methodology semi-structured intervi
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Methodology Methods for Review and
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Methodology Lifestyle risk factors
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Methodology • To identify the str
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Conclusions and Recommendations pos
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Conclusions and Recommendations are
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References Adult Mental Health Serv
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References Department of Health and
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References Health Education Board f
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References Layte, R., Jenkinson, C.
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References Sindall, C. (1997) Inter
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Promoting Positive Mental Health: C
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Promoting Positive Mental Health an
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Organisations which contributed to
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The Centre for Cross Border Studies
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4858 Mental Health Report - National University of Ireland, Galway

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