Mental health, learning disability and autism programme news

Latest Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism engagement work

A five year plan for the Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism Programme is being developed in September / October to set out the work needed to deliver improvements in each of these important areas of work. Alongside this we will be asking for the expertise and views of Inclusion North (advocates for those with a learning disability and/or autism) to undertake a ‘check and confirm’ style review of what is included in the developing strategy and how it is described. This will help set out the direction for further engagement; for example around making mental health services more accessible for people of all ages; reducing waiting times; developing support for people with autism; investment in mental health awareness and importantly improved access for people with autism, ADHD and learning disabilities.

Public engagement

We are looking at the way in which care is provided across the existing three Assessment and Treatment Units for people with learning disabilities and how as an area we make the best collective use of our services so we can support people to live independently (and safely) in their communities. You can read the report from the engagement work done so far here.

Children and young people’s mental health

CommonRoom Consulting has gathered the views of young people who have stayed in a child adolescent mental health inpatient unit so that we can gain insight and test the approach we are taking.  Further work is underway with families of young people (particularly fathers and siblings) to consider whether the way we are working (new care model) has worked for them too.

Adult eating disorders

Leeds and York Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust hosts the CONNECT service for adult eating disorders across West Yorkshire. It provides specialist hospital beds, a coordinated approach and early support to those suffering from an eating disorder. Integral to the development and delivery of the CONNECT model has been the engagement with people who have lived experience and carers, this includes a reference group which reports into the CONNECT Programme Board. Some of the work delivered as a result includes a campaign to reduce stigma in local communities and additional support from a minority ethnic groups outreach worker to ensure equality of access for all.

Children with autism/ADHD

A significant amount of local engagement takes place in our six local places (Bradford District and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield) in partnership with families and community organisations. It is through this engagement that we understand the biggest challenges for people; including waiting times, issues with a lack of definitive diagnosis; the need for educational and post diagnostic support and broader awareness and training requirements amongst health and care workers. You can read our engagement mapping report here.

Adults with autism

The Yorkshire and Humber Operational Delivery Group holds a specific sub-group for community and voluntary service engagement. This helps shape our understanding of the largest issues to resolve; including gaps in provision between mental health services for those with autism.

Suicide prevention

Following publication of the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Suicide Prevention Strategy in November 2018 a network of engagement with experts by experience has started. This included the ‘Messages of Hope’ campaign on world suicide prevention day. Work continues to engage experts in the development of postvention services (support to families’ bereaved following suicide of a loved one).

Forensic services

Over the next 18 months, current providers of forensic services across West Yorkshire (South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Cygnet Hralth Care and In Mind Healthcare Group) will work together as a collaborative engaging with wider organisations, service users and their family/carers to enhance adult secure provision across West Yorkshire, with the aim of reducing length of stay and further developing support within the community.

Yorkshire and Humber involvement network has held a range of interactive workshops to engage service users, and front-line staff in the development of new models, and clinical pathways. 

• An initial workshop was held in August, bringing service users and staff together to discuss work taking place within adult secure services, and to share ideas, hosted by the Yorkshire and Humber Engagement Leads.
• Regular workshops will continue this engagement, with the next workshop planned for November 2019
• We will also engage with service users currently out of area, to ensure that they are aware of the work taking place and that their voices can be heard.

Read and download the Yorkshire and Humber Involvement Network newsletter for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate area