A case study on the experience of one region of England's response to the Access and Waiting Time standard
Poster C23, Saturday, October 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Stuart Clark1, Sarah Amani, Belinda Lennox, Frank Burbach; 1Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, 2Oxford Academic Health Science Network, 3Oxford Academic Health Science Network, 4Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
The Access and Waiting time (AWT) standard for Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Services across England was introduced across all ages in April 2016. EIP services have had to focus on improving access to first assessment and allocation of a lead practitioner or keyworker, on stretching to work with those over 35 years of age and with an At Risk Mental state, and to increasing receipt of NICE recommended interventions. This poster reports the experience of southern England in planning for and delivering against this new AWT standard. The main challenges faced are outlined; including variable EIP funding, multiple models of serice delivery, as well as variable commissioner and Trust awareness of the standard and states of readiness to report on performance. It summarises some of the key initiatives developed to overcome the challenges faced. Improved communication and collaboration between EIP providers and with commissioners has been achieved through regular web based meetings. This has enabled wider understanding and robust planning to meet the standard, and 'bottom up' learning to occur. Support and targeted allocation of training monies from a central team to EIP teama has increased capacity to offer NICE recommended interventions. The development of a web based matrix has enabled local and regional monitoring of progress made in developing the workforce, increasing capacity to offer interventions and measuring outcomes. Leadership development events have ensured we have strong, sustainable leaders going foward. Finally, plans for future activity and reflections on the process followed are given.
Topic Area: Service System Development and Reform