Mental Health Services Report, Sunderland
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Healthwatch Sunderland held a consultation in July 2016 to find out what health and social care priorities local people would like to be considered and mental health provision came out as number one.
During October 2016 to January 2017 a series of activities were carried out with the aim of obtaining the views of current patients on NHS funded mental health provision. A variety of methods were used including both online and hard copy surveys, distributed and promoted by websites and social media.
The voluntary and community sector worked in partnership with Healthwatch Sunderland to access user groups where the completion of surveys was carried out. The survey looked at five service areas including GPs, Community Mental Health teams, The Initial Response Team (Crisis Team) and In-Patient Services. 111 service users and 51 carers or workers responded.
Many areas of good practice and praise for treatment were found and the voluntary sector was highly praised for it services. However some areas were found to be in need of improvement.
Based on the findings a number of recommendations were made. Promotion and awareness raised on the wellbeing website, further promotion of the self-referral pathways, voluntary and community sector to have representation on strategic boards and the need to consider how to improve the delivery of a consistent service.