Service innovations: redesigning a community mental health team

Polash Shajahan, Frances Forde, Mary McIntosh, Vicki Moffat, Pravin Munogee
2006 Psychiatric bulletin of the Royal College of Psychiatrists  
Aims and Method We describe the redesign of a community mental health team in Lanarkshire (the focused intervention team for Bellshill). Their remit is to provide focused, time-limited therapeutic intervention for patients with mild-to-moderate mental health problems. Results The redesign involved a closer working relationship with the psychiatrist, establishing a concurrent community psychiatric nurse/ psychiatric clinic, recategorisation of 'soon' and routine referrals to the team, opt-in
more » ... ers and the introduction of new assessment formats. Clinical Implications These measures combined to provide a shorter waiting list, increased joint working and management plans for patients. Team functioning and morale improved.
doi:10.1192/pb.30.7.269 fatcat:3fbh4upjibf2vlyl4td5iul7mq