Exploration into Community Mental Health Teams in Southampton
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This report reflects changes made within the East Community Mental Health Team (East CMHT) Southampton in response to feedback from their patients and staff and the introduction of a new Focussed Care Pathway Team. The report aims to help patients and members of the public to understand the systems and structures within local mental health services and CMHTs.
In response to a high incidence of negative feedback about the Community Mental Health Teams in Southampton (CMHTs) from 2022-2024, and specifically more about the East CMHT Healthwatch Southampton (HWS) met with the East Community Health Team to understand more about their service and the issues people are facing when accessing services.
During the process of evaluating the changes at the East Community Mental Health Team, Healthwatch Southampton identified the following recommendations for further improvement and learning for Community Mental Health Teams in Southampton:
- An increase in shared learning opportunities to celebrate examples of good practice for staff across Southampton Community Mental Health Teams and the wider region of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
- The Focussed Care Pathway and Shared Care approach to be shared locally and nationally as a model of good practice.
- East Community Mental Health Team to continue to review the Focussed Care Pathway and the Shared Care Team as a model of good practice and will use staff and patient surveys to gain ongoing feedback from both staff and patients.
- Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to review provision of trauma therapy available in Southampton in order to reduce the waiting times.
- East Community Mental Health Team and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to review the Enhanced Care Pathway waiting list and support provision.
- Healthwatch Southampton to continue to capture patient feedback for Community Mental Health Teams in Southampton.
- East Community Mental Health Team to improve communication methods with patients and the general public about the service, support, pathways, eligibility and the patient journey.