7 July 2008

MENTAL HEALTH, DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY NETWORK
BULLETIN 65 – 21 JULY 2008

In the press

What next after Darzi?

The Kings Fund provides an analysis of the key themes explored in the Darzi review Clickhereto read the review..

With an emphasis on locally-driven services and measuring and reporting on quality, the report from Lord Darzi's NHS Next Stage Review attempts to open a new chapter for the NHS. The Kings Fund has examined the main proposals and looks at what needs to happen next.

Consultations

RoyalCollege of Psychologists launch ‘Fair Deal’

The RCPschy has recently launched its 3 year campaign founded on the views of psychiatrists, and our networks of service users and carers covering eight priority areas:

  • Funding
  • Access to Services
  • In-patient Services
  • Recovery
  • Discrimination and Stigma
  • Engagement with service users/carers
  • Availability of psychological therapies
  • Linking mental and physical health

linked by the common theme of working towards equality for people with mental health problems.

Click to read the full Fair Deal manifesto or provide feedback.

Development of the new NHS Contract and Payment By Results for Mental Health

The department of health is currently taking forward work on both these areas and Mark Jordan () is going to be the ADASS representative on both these groups. Mark is Head of Joint Commissioning in Hertfordshire and believes that getting these policies and approaches right will make a major difference to the future of Social Care and Mental Health services. He is really keen to be in touch with anyone else who would be interested in helping influence how these areas are developed and he would therefore like to form a 'virtual reference group' whom he can brief on what the Department is proposing and who can advise him on what ADASS should be saying about these matters.

If you might like to be involved or would like to know more about this please do drop Mark a line and he will be in touch.

External Events

Request for a speaker - Measuring and monitoring non clinical outcomes

3rd November 2008, London.

Jenny Goodall is unable to speak at this event. If you are interested and available, please email who can provide more information on the event and expenses detail.

Other news and information

ADASS releases first in series of Employers Guidance

The guidance outlines the key changes in legislation that need to be implemented by local government and other agencies as employers of the role of the Approved Mental Health professional (AMHP). Thanks goes out to the various experts from the mental health network who have put in considerable effort to ensure the advice given is of a high quality and we would welcome any feedback to further develop this, and future guidance notes. This note will also be released on the ADASS website (link to be provided shortly) and the ADASS Communications Bulletin.

Andrew Russell to represent the ADASS Mental Health Network on the National Confidential Inquiry (NCI) into Suicides and Homicides by people with mental illness.

Following this bulletin’s request for a nominee to represent the network on this steering group, Andrew Russell of Middlesborough Council has accepted the position. The steering group includes members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists practicing in general and forensic psychiatry, representatives from the devolved government of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, service users, user support groups and lay members of the public. The RCPsych contacted ADASS as it believes the network are best placed to provide invaluable insight into the into the challenges faced by the (social work) profession in the day to day delivery of mental health care. For more information on the NCI, click here.

Andrew will be providing updates on the outcomes of the Inquiry which will be published in this bulletin. Click here to contact Andrew to discuss the Steering Group directly.

National Service User Network (NSUN) releases proposal to improve involvement

The National Survivor User Network (NSUN) brings together groups and organisations in England that are run by users and survivors of mental health services in one national network. The network met at the NHS Confederation Offices on 25th June where the attached proposal was presented. Also attached are notes from the meeting.

Commissioning and System Reform Programme

Members of ADASS and NIHME from South West Yorkshire have recently agreed to a reform programme for Commissioning and System Reform. The attached papers, detailing the proposed approach were endorsed by the DH Mental Health Programme Board and are being considered for full adoption by the NIHME Board.

Please contact of Kirklees Council for more information.

Best Interest Assessor Training – the approach from Bournemouth

Bournemouth have kindly shared their Best Interest Assessor Training material with the network.

If you are interested in training and wish to discuss this more, please contact John Wallace () who has kindly passed this information on.

Annual Planning Meeting, Leeds

Thank you to everyone who made it to Leeds for the network’s annual planning meeting. Much was discussed and agreed including the forward plan for the network, membership and lots of discussion about how the network can best respond to the national Drugs and Alcohol agenda and Personalisation. Minutes will be published in the next issue of the bulletin.

Regards

Jenny Goodall, Richard Webb Lucy Butler

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