#SpeakUp: Space to Breathe

Healthwatch Sheffield provided a SpeakUp grant to Space to Breathe to undertake research on people with severe mental health problems seeking support from GPs.  Building on initial anecdotal feedback and research, Space to Breathe consulted 78 people from across Sheffield and used a specific installation at Chapelgreen Surgery to receive a mix of responses to the questions of what the challenges are to receive mental health support at a General Practice (GP) Doctors Surgery and what suggestions might make things better. They used a mix of quantitative/qualitative data and then more creative and emotive responses through the creative arts.

 hrough the process key issues emerged of:

• The problems in getting an appointment
• The importance of a caring and understanding approach at a Surgery Reception Desk and understanding of what life is life for those facing mental health challenges.
• The specific dynamics of mental health and getting support and the ways the current system doesn’t always help people.
• Suggestions were made about the importance of patient feedback, ideas and positive experiences.

Overall, this process highlighted the mutual benefits to everyone when patients are involved and listened to.

This report makes some initial recommendations to take forward at Chapelgreen but also ones which can speak into other surgeries across Sheffield, including

• The trial of imaginative ideas to change perception and experience of making appointments.
• Creating other routes to care & reviewing how crisis issues are dealt with.
• Recognition of the increased demand and higher number of patients experiencing mental health challenges e.g. training, having a designated doctor etc.
• Patients requesting more help. The sharing of good news stories where “more” is being delivered would encourage people to get in touch.
• Signposting to other services more effectively.