The latest joint SPN Paper entitled Whose health, whose care, whose say? is now available online and can also be ordered in paperback.
Taking a critical look at the implications of the new policy direction of the White Paper Our health our care our say on mental health service users with needs sometimes labelled ‘complex’, the Paper is a joint collaboration between SPN and CSIP Eastern and follows on from a study day in January this year.
“In short, the Paper looks at what needs to be done to translate progressive policy into reality for the most marginalised and seldom heard people with mental health needs. However, it is also of relevance to anyone with an interest in the direction of progressive policy in health and social care”, said Raza Griffiths, SPN Joint Co-ordinator who wrote an introductory chapter for the Paper.
Some of the buzz words of the White Paper are greater choice and voice for service users, more joint working and a shift in the focus from secondary to primary care and preventative services in the community.
There are specific chapters looking at the issues around personalising services and self directed care for people with personality disorder, as well as for people with mental health needs who have learning disabilities, substance misuse issues, are homeless or in the criminal justice system.
The introductory chapters look at the White Paper Our Health Our Care Our Say in terms of the overall policy and legislative context including the Local Government White Paper Stronger and Prosperous Communities.
These emphasise the need to overcome institutional thinking and practices in inpatient and community settings. And all this is to be done within the context of tight budgetary control. All in all a tall order, but one that we need to grapple with.
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