Care integration leaders 'can learn from mental health services transformation'
The transformation of mental health services could provide lessons for the integration of health and social care, according to a new report.
The transformation of mental health services could provide lessons for the integration of health and social care, according to a new report.
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland paper urges those leading the changeover to learn from the way in which mental health care moved from large institutions to community-based services over recent decades.
The report, based on one-to-one interviews with nurses, said the strongest message was the need to put people at the heart of any service redesign.
Leaders in newly integrated services have an enormous task ahead of them in bringing together different professionals and providers, tackling professional boundaries and developing person-centred and community-based services,'' it said.
However, the experience of mental health reform in Scotland shows that thoughtful investment and partnership with the people who use and provide local services can deliver change which is meaningful and lasting.''
Mental health practitioners who contributed to the report said they felt true integration'' across all health and social care services wasstill some way down the track''.
One said: What we have right now is lots of people who share buildings. But in terms of getting a shared ethos, we're miles away from that.''
The report also highlighted some concern that mental health services could fall down the agenda as integration moves forward''.
Norman Provan, RCN Scotland associate director, said: Health and social care integration is a massive change for everyone involved.
Mental health has already gone through that huge shift to the community. Integration is on a similar scale of change and there's general consensus both in Scotland today and internationally that more care should be delivered in people's homes or in a homely setting rather than in hospital.
That's a big shift and mental health services have shown the way. Health and social care leaders can definitely learn from their experiences.''