We need to redesign, adjust or develop services to integrate and improve care, better supporting people living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI). Delivering responsive, personalised and evidence-based care is vital. This is particularly important for people with long-term conditions, in order to reduce disease complications, unplanned admissions and improve self-management. We need to ensure all commissioned services benefit those living with SMI equally to the general population, addressing mental health needs equally to physical health needs.
Recommended actions to take
- Identify current progress and gaps in systems and standards within general hospitals to support those living with SMI.
- Improve communication, relationships and flexible pathways between acute trusts and mental health services.
- Develop clear pathways between Mental Health and Acute Trusts including support for deteriorating health and management of long term conditions.
- Pathways and services should be adjusted or developed to support uptake, access and benefit from planned and acute care for people with SMI.
- Deliver quality improvements throughout the assessment to discharge pathway, in-line with the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD) report into Mental Health in General Hospitals: Treat as One).
In:
Tagged: serious mental illness (SMI), stolen years
