Top Service Receiver Priorities for February 2011 UPDATE - As identified through the meetings attended by Derbyshire Voice Service Receiver Representatives.

 

• With all of the financial changes, we are very concerned about “Improving Access to Psychological Therapies” (IAPT) services not being available across all areas of Derbyshire, especially areas like Wirksworth and Ashbourne.

We have received some reassurances about this but are still seeking confirmation that this programme and these areas will receive a valuable service.

 

• Due to the financial cuts being faced by the NHS, we are concerned about front line services being reduced in many ways including, unfilled staff vacancies.

DV Representatives are asking about vacancy information at all of the relevant meetings we attend and will monitor this.

 

• The experiences of individuals with mental health concerns when in contact with the police is still a concern.  It is felt that the training police officers receive is a start but still limited. And doesn’t equip officers to deal with the diverse circumstances they may encounter.

We will continue to raise our concerns about this issue

 

• There is uncertainty about the future of some psychotherapy services currently running at Temple House.  We want to find out what the future plans are for these services.

We have clarified that Temple House isn’t being closed it is only being refurbished.

 

• We have had a number of concerns raised recently about access to advocacy services at the Radbourne Unit, Derby City.  There appears to be a high demand from a limited resource, including long delays for voluntary patients and delays for individuals held under the Mental Health Act.

Representatives are raising this at all of the relevant meetings they attend

 

• Derbyshire Voice is still awaiting confirmation about our funding to continue enabling service receivers to have a voice in the design and delivery of mental health services.

We still haven’t received any news on this!

 

• Service receivers are raising issues about the communication they receive, when admitted on to inpatient wards, about their rights, including information about advocacy, access to electrical items and internet, mobile phone usage and Dr. second opinions.

Representatives that attend meetings about services at the Radbourne Unit will continue to raise these points.

 

• Derbyshire Health Care NHS Foundation Trust (DHCNFT) are looking into ways to reduce the number of “Do Not Attends” (DNA’s) at outpatient appointments.  We are concerned that changes to the appointment system must improve the service for individuals and not just improve the statistics.

We have been asked by DHCNFT to offer some suggestions on how service improvements can be made during this review.

 

• With all of the changes to health and social care, we are concerned about our involvement and the voice and opinions of service receivers influencing the future commissioners (buyers) of mental health services.

This is an ongoing challenge whilst the NHS is going through such big changes, but we are continuing to meet with buyers and potential future buyers of services to continue to raise service receiver views.