Centre for Mental Health Policy

Personal Independence Payment- survey for joint consultation response

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Together with MIND, Mental Health Foundation, SAMH, Royal College of Psychatrists and Rethink mental iIllness the centre are looking for people who are recieiving Disability Living Allowance because of a mental health problem, or a mixture of mental and physical health problems, to complete a short survey. Our organisations are worried about how the switch to the new benefit will impact on people with mental health problems and we will be expressing these concerns in a joint response to the Government's consultation on the proposed changes. You can help us to ensure that this consultation response is as informed and powerful as possible by completing the survey below if you are currently claiming DLA, or by passing this on to someone you know who does. Take the survey here: http://surveymonkey.com/s/pip-mentalhealth

Briefing notes on government amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill: Lords report stage

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

This briefing outlines the amendments to the Health and Social Care Bill, as proposed by the government. You can download the briefing here

Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF) - NICE Consultation- closes 29 February

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

As part of the process to develop a Commissioning Outcomes Framework (COF) that measures the health outcomes and quality of care achieved by clinical commissioning groups, NICE is encouraging organisations, groups and individuals in England to comment on potential new indicators.

The indicators have been recommended by the COF Advisory Committee, as well as a number based on the NHS Outcomes Framework, and an additional list identified by the NHS Information Centre.

This document includes one set of indicators for the new CCGs to measure their performance proposed for use from April 2013 and a further set that could be developed in the future.

To view the potential indicators (including indicators for mental health) and participate in the consultation visit this webpage: http://www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/cof/ConsultationOnCOFIndicators.jsp

The consultation will close at 5pm on Wednesday 29 February 2012.

IPS model has the strongest evidence for success- funding guide finds

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Job well done: Employment and mental health problems, a guide for funders highlights the lack of funding and services in helping those with mental health problems get back into employment. the report, released by New Philanthropy Capital, estimates that this failure costs the government, employers and society £6bn a year and recommends the further implementation of proven employment models such as IPS.

Defining Mental Health Services, new report from NHS Confed

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

The lack of a consistent set of definitions that describe what is meant by an inpatient bed has led to difficulty in benchmarking and understanding patterns of performance. The NHS Confederation has published definitions for mental health inpatient services Defining Mental Health Services, which will enable decision making about service redesign to be more consistent, based on a set of definitions that are well understood and accepted across the system.

Health Work and Wellbeing resource for business launched

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Health, Work and Well-being is a cross-Government initiative to 'protect and improve the health and well-being of working age people'. The initiative promotes the positive links between health and work and aims to help more people with health conditions to find and stay in employment. It brings together employers, trade unions, healthcare professionals and other partners and builds on a growing evidence base that working is good for health.

Consultation on low secure services and psychiatric intensive care

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

A consultation document on low secure services and psychiatric intensive care is being issued for a three month consultation by stakeholders. The deadline for responses is 19 April 2012.

The purpose of this consultation is to invite the views of stakeholders on how new guidance will operate by explaining the rationale behind the strategic approach and raising questions which cover a broad range of issues. Read more here.

Helping employees who become severely depressed: new article by Centre's Bob Grove, Helen Lockett and Jan Hutchinson

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Depression, anxiety and related problems are very common indeed - in the UK about one in six workers have levels of distress that doctors would diagnose as illness. This article, published in the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation's newsletter, sets out the ways in which employers can create healthy productive workforces and manage the mental distress. Read the article online here.

How the police can improve services for people with a mental illness

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Newly appointed as lead on mental health and disability at the Assocation of Chief Police Officers, Simon Cole, Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary, has written a blog on the challenges faced by police to improve services for those with mental health issues or disabilities.

Troops charity Forces in Mind launched to help veterans with mental illness

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Forces in Mind Trust (FIMT) has been given £35m from the lottery and partnership support from the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.

Forces in Mind Trust (FIMT) is a grouping of charities and mental health organisations, led by the Confederation of Service Charities. The FIMT aims to provide UK-wide long-term support and advice - over the next 20 years - to ex-service personnel adjusting back into everyday life after experiencing action on the front line. The trust will help soliders suffering from poor mental health, family breakdown and alcohol-related problems.

Read Across the Wire, a report from the Centre on veterans and mental health here