Delivering for Health
Mental Health continues to be a priority for NHS Scotland. The Scottish Executive's aim of delivering integrated mental health services is reflected in the approaches set out in The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland, Our National Health, Partnership for Care, and most recently, Delivering for Health.
Delivering for Health builds on the approaches set out in these documents, with a particular focus on the prevention and recovery, and in bringing services closer to people's own homes and communities.
The strategy and policy guidance focuses on the efforts of health, social work, housing agencies, their voluntary sector partners and others (not least the users of services and their carers) to provide a complementary range of services and support that, as far as possible, meet the needs and hopes of those with mental health problems and those who care for them. There is also a focus on prevention, early intervention and recovery.
The Delivering for Health response to the Kerr report has 9 clear commitments for mental health, all designed to improve mental health and the delivery of mental health services.
The full list and timetable is as follows:
Bring together the work to improve mental health services in a national Mental Health Delivery Plan | By 2006 |
An evidence-based practice guide on depression will be produced for primary care together with proposals for how the Doing Well by People with Depression work will be rolled out across Scotland. | By 2006 |
National standards will be developed and published for crisis services and out of hours work, based on the crisis pilots funded by the Executive | By 2006 |
A national and regional analysis of specialist service needs will be prepared together with an assessment of the action and timetable required to meet those needs. | By 2006 |
National Standards will be developed for Integrated Care Pathways ( ICPs) for the main diagnoses with implementation of the standards to be accredited by NHS QIS. | By 2007 |
The Forensic Mental Health Managed Care Network will put in place delivery of the new local forensic psychiatric services and accommodation including medium secure units and the related redevelopment of the State Hospital | By 2009 |
Children and Young People's Mental Health: A Framework for Promotion, Prevention and Care will be implemented adopting agreed timetabled milestones. | By 2008 and 2010 |
National Programme for Mental Health and Well-being will continue a focus on population mental health, promoting positive mental health, tackling stigma and discrimination and improving the quality of life and social inclusion of those experiencing mental illness | Ongoing |
Work to improve the physical health and well-being of those with mental illness will continue including work on smoking cessation, diet and physical activity. | Ongoing |
Further information on the Delivering for Health timetable and outcomes is available from the Centre for Change and Innovation.