Making a difference for our communities

This is an exciting time for mental health services with more investment in support and more pathways available for our communities. The programme will expand Community Mental Health teams to ensure that our service users have access to care in their local area.

What is the community mental health transformation? 

What is the community mental health transformation? 

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is working with service users, colleagues and support organisations to improve community mental health services in the county as part of the Community Mental Health Services transformation.

Many changes have already been made in Phase 1 of the transformation programme, including the allocation of keyworkers, smaller place based Community Mental Health Teams and the introduction of new roles within the CMHTs such as Peer and Carer Peer support workers.

Feedback from service users, carers and families who have experienced care delivered by CMHTs have told us that services which are based around local communities and involve more agencies than the NHS in isolation such as Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) improve the range of support available for people with mental health problems. Many of the treatments and therapies that in the past that were delivered by the CMHT are now available in the community, through a variety of local organisations. This means that there is greater choice and involvement, rather than all services being delivered by the NHS. 

Phase 2 of the Community Mental Health Transformation is in progress and more updates will appear on this page throughout the transformation process.

 

What does the programme hope to achieve?

What will the programme achieve? 

The programme has implemented nine Community Mental Health teams, who work with service users to ensure that people in the county have access to care in their local area. The nine new teams are based in GP areas and deliver personalised care offering a wide-range of support within a small area.

The programme, which started in April 2021, is designed to improve our service users experience of mental health care and improve access and pathways to community mental health services.

Why is the programme being carried out now?

Why is the programme being carried out now? 

The community mental health transformation is being carried out in line with the NHS Long Term Plan (2019), which hopes to ensure that mental health services are delivered within local community areas. The programme aligns with the aims of the Long Term plan to offer equal access to mental health services across Northamptonshire.

How will I be kept updated?

How will I be kept updated on development in this programme?

NHFT is committed to ensuring that you are well informed on the programme, and will keep you updated of its progress through emails, letters and conversations with colleagues and service users, as well on this our dedicated website page for the programme.

How can I give feedback?  

How can I give feedback on this transformation programme?  

We are dedicated to working with service users and key stakeholders throughout the process and will be looking to hold sessions later in the programme where you can give your feedback.

You can also speak to our Patient Advice and Liaison service at any time if you have concerns regarding the programme or delivery of your care, full details of these services can be found on the PALs webpage.   

What is a Primary Care Network (PCN)?

What is a Primary Care Network (PCN)? 

To improve access to local services,  GPs are working together alongside community, mental health, social care, pharmacy, general hospitals, voluntary services in local areas known as primary care networks (PCNs). 

PCNs build on existing primary care services and will provide more personalised, coordinated and integrated health and social care for people close to home.