Listening to our communities: From people and their carers, who use mental health services

In December 2013 East Sussex Community Voice, in its Healthwatch East Sussex role, commissioned Age UK East Sussex to deliver five listening events for users of mental health services in East Sussex. The aim of the short piece of commissioned work, was to gather a snapshot of current concerns; as heard from mental health service users, their carers, members of the public as well as organisations working with them.  30 people got involved in the events.

Three priority topics were identified at the sessions:

1. A review of the capacity of psychiatric consultants should be considered, with a view to ensuring greater continuity of care and treatment tailored to the evolving needs of individual patients over time.
2. An annual review of patients with a history of mental health issues should be initiated as normal practice by GPs and steps should be taken to ensure that GPs are well informed of community services and their quality.
3. A review of support services for carers should be undertaken aimed at ensuring that systems are in place to ensure that carers are aware of support services and that they exist in a form which those who need them can draw upon at need.