APPENDIX 2

MENTAL HEALTH

Objective

The Mental Health NSF and Suicide Prevention Strategy set out a modernisation programme to:

· _reduce the suicide rate and deaths by undetermined causes by 20% by 2010

· improve access to general community Mental Health services

Services should be delivered in line with the standards in the Mental Health NSF, the Mental Health Implementation Guide, national Mental Health strategies and compliance with NICE appraisals/guidance. Comparative clinical audit and information from the Mental Health Minimum Data Set (which should be implemented in all Trusts by 03/2003) should be used to develop services, and the National Institute for Mental Health England will support development work.

Modernisation will be supported by a new Mental Health Legislative framework. NHS and social services joint responsibility will be delivered through Local Implementation Team partnership.

The Children's NSF and its emerging findings will set out the standards and milestones for improvement in child & adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), including year on year improvements in access.

Targets

_Reduce the duration of untreated psychosis to a service median of less than 3 months, (individual maximum less than 6 months) and provide support for the first three years for all young people who develop a first episode of psychosis by 2004.

Offer 24-hour crisis resolution to all eligible patients by 2005.

By Dec 2003, deliver assertive outreach to the 20,000 adult patients with severe mental illness and complex problems who regularly disengage from services.

Increase breaks available for carers and strengthen carer support and networks to the benefit nationally of approximately 165,000 Carers of people on CPA by 2004.

_Improve mental health care in prisons so that all prisoners with severe mental illness have a Care Plan by April 2004 (approximately 5000 prisoners nationally) and ensure appropriate use of secure and forensic facilities by 2004, contributing to the national target of moving 400 patients from high secure hospitals by 2004.

Ensure that by April 2004 protocols are in place across all health and social care systems for the care and management of older people with mental health problems.

National capacity assumptions

· Expanded service capacity in key services, to contribute to national requirements by 2004 of 335 crisis resolution teams; 50 additional assertive outreach teams; 50 early intervention teams; 140 new secure personality disorder places.

· Reduced pressure on acute inpatient units by reduction in bed occupancy rate

· All child and adolescent mental health services to provide comprehensive service including mental health promotion and early intervention by 2006

· _Increase child and adolescent mental health services by at least 10 per cent each year across the service according to agreed local priorities (demonstrated by increased staffing, patient contacts and/or investment)