Every commissioner should address ethnic inequalities in mental health says panel of experts

Psychological therapists and occupational therapists were not included in this qualitative study of 27 mental health staff, which is a shame.

Anyone can suffer from mental illness, but current mental health services may not be appropriate for the whole population. People from black and minority ethnic groups may have different requirements, and this guide aims to help commissioners reduce inequalities by procuring good health care for all. This guidance has been produced by the Joint Commissioning [read the full story…]

Improving access to primary care risks fuelling demand unless a system-wide view taken, says Nuffield Trust

shutterstock_153914447

This new report, based on a workshop in March 2014, sets out to inform the development of 20 pilots (in England) of the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund, to improve access to primary care.   The report focuses on the debate around unintended consequences of extending (e.g. longer opening hours) or broadening (e.g. phone or online consultations) access – will [read the full story…]

Commissioning not yet reached potential in improving outcomes and efficiencies in mental health, says new report

shutterstock_152996096

This new paper shares findings from small-scale research into the perceptions and experiences of third sector organisations in NHS and local authority-led commissioning of mental health services. The role of the third sector is of particular interest, given current policy directions towards greater integration, parity of esteem, personal health budgets, community mobilisation and cross sector working. The report notes [read the full story…]

Commissioning for health improvement can help tackle health inequalities, says report

Public health 1

This new guide from the Royal Society for Public Health is most relevant to commissioners, providers, local authorities, people working in health improvement and public health practitioners. Take a look and see which areas will be most useful to you in terms of reducing health inequalities and improving health and wellbeing in your area.

[read the full story...]

It may not be possible to generate clear-cut evidence on integrated care, reports a new evidence summary

shutterstock_190212320

This recent report, commissioned by the European Commission and compiled by RAND Europe, aims to summarise economic evaluation evidence on the impact of integrated care.  The authors restricted their evidence search to systematic reviews and meta analyses, which is understandable as this is described as a rapid review but the authors acknowledge this has limitations, [read the full story…]

Co-production recognises service users as assets to help shape and transform services, says new report

Mobilising networks of volunteers can provide peer support to patients with long term conditions

Co-production and community mobilisation are not new concepts to the NHS, or indeed commissioning – recent years have seen examples such as the King’s Fund Experience Based Co-Design toolkit and NESTA’s People Powered Health programme.  However, this new report suggests that in the NHS we haven’t entirely grasped the more radical aspects of the concept.  [read the full story…]

A strong business case exists for investing in early and community-based interventions for mental health, says report

Several heads surrounding one head

This report provides everything that is needed for people working in mental health services to make a business case for investing in early and community-based interventions. This includes, commissioners, practitioners, local authorities, policy-makers, providers, and social care. As part of this document, the authors have provided the evidence for the cost-effectiveness of a range of [read the full story…]

Integrating funds across health and social care is not a panacea according to recent review

integration

This review from the University of York’s Centre for Health Economics is certainly timely for commissioners in England, with plans for the Better Care Fund well underway and Simon Stevens, the new Chief Executive for NHS England, recently quoted as saying “no-one should pretend just combining two financially leaky buckets will magically create a watertight funding solution” [read the full story…]

Recommendations for commissioning quality weight management services

Two feet on scales

This guidance has been published and should be read alongside the Commissioning Policy A05 Complex and Specialised Obesity Surgery Services of the NHS Commissioning Board April 2013. It has been sponsored by the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, and is supported by a number of relevant professional bodies, including the Association of UK Dietitians [read the full story…]