Background

 

Research has been undertaken by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) around treatments in mental health that have the best outcomes for patients.  

 

Discussions have taken place with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust, GP’s and the Primary Care Trust (PCT), the organisation that currently buys all services for patients, to discuss this research, what it means locally and how services could look in the future.  This is how the proposed new service specification has been developed.

 

Now that this proposed new service specification has been developed it is important to talk to patients to understand their views on how it will affect them.  The public events will explain the proposed service specification in more detail.

 

What does this mean for new patients?

 

It is proposed that new patients referred into the service will go to one central point to ensure that everyone is assessed and receives the most appropriate treatment based on their diagnosis.

 

What does this mean for existing patients?

 

The PCT have discussed the needs of the patients with Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust and all current patients will be assessed.  Those who have a clinical need to continue with psychodynamic psychotherapy will do so.  The PCT will support whatever is clinically in the patient’s best interest.  The intention is for a phased reduction in psychodynamic psychotherapy which will ensure the PCT complies with NICE guidelines of offering evidence based services.

 

This review of patients has already started and will be running at the same time as the consultation process.  Once the outcome of the consultation is known, and if the proposed service changes are agreed, Derbyshire Healthcare Foundation Trust will work with staff on the specific changes and make sure patients are supported through any changes.

 

There will be no unplanned change to healthcare until after the consultation events. 

 

NHS Derby City and NHS Derbyshire County make decisions on services based on 3 key elements.

 

*Affordability - Also need to look at services for the North of the County. At the moment these are not as good as the South.

*Patient, Public and Staff Views

*Clinical and other Trust considerations - NICE GUIDELINES and other clinical research

 

Decision will be a result of considering all factors.

 

The consultation events have been organised to allow the PCT to hear the voice of the patients and their carers. Staff views are being heard at different meetings.

There are other aspects that will influence the final decision such as the amount of money available to be used for these services. We also need to consider areas that the PCT must comply with.

The final decision will be made taking all of these aspects into account.