As identified through the meetings attended by Derbyshire Voice Service Receiver Representatives.

 

·      We are concerned that psychodynamic Psychotherapy service will be significantly reduced after the consultation period, ending 31st October 2011. This would be against the views of all of the service receivers that we have consulted with so far.

The consultation period has now ended and we have submitted a report to the decision makers highlighting the views of service receivers.  We await the decision.

 

·      Once again we are hearing concerns from inpatients that the ‘named nurse’ system isn’t working well, some patients say they often don’t know who their ‘named nurse’ is, that there isn’t a deputy if the named nurse is not on shift and they don’t have enough time with them.

This is still on going and Representatives are raising this at a variety of meetings.

 

·      We are hearing about a variety of unfilled posts within Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (DHCFT), particularly within the Occupational Therapy Department, if this is part of the overall strategy for efficiency saving they are making, we are concerned that this may impact negatively on the capacity of this department and therefore the service provided to patients.

We are still in the process of collecting data on this.

 

·      The changes to the NHS will include GP’s surgeries setting up PPG’s (Patient Participation Groups) as a way of informing the future commissioners (buyers of public services) of the needs of the patients of Derbyshire.  After conducting a small survey we are concerned that many GP surgeries aren’t yet providing these groups and that mental health may not be adequately represented at those that are set up.

We are receiving reports that more and more GP’s have set up these groups and we will be keeping an eye on the number and also their effectiveness.

 

·      In addition to the above point we are concerned how individuals and groups, that represent service receivers in mental health, will be supported financially and practically to have ‘a voice’ within the new Clinical Commissioning groups (CCG’s the organsiations that will replace the Primary Care trusts and take over commissioning after the NHS reforms).

This is still a concern and representatives are raising this directly with current commissioners and staff from the new CCG’s).

 

·      It has been reported that pregnant women, detained under the Mental Health Act, could be given substantial doses of ‘Lorazepam’.  This has led us to question the overall policy of pregnancy and medication.

Verbal reassurance and policy documentation has been provided to reassure Representatives on this matter.

 

·      We were, again, concerned about the relatively poor results for DHCFT regarding the application of the Care Programme Approach highlighted in the recent Patient Survey Results.

This is likely to be a long standing issue as any substantial and sustained improvements in these result will take time, however, we are working with both providers and commissioners  of mental health services to address this issue.

 

·      However, in relation to the above point we would like to commend DHCFT as they choose to carry out the Patient Survey every year instead of just the mandatory every two years.  We believe this shows a commitment to rectifying any poor practice and shows that they wish to collect the views of patients.

 

·      A big WELL DONE to every one involved in the preparation and management of the many successful activities during World Mental Health Week.