Mental health professionals from across England gathered in Taunton last week to learn about a trailblazing new approach to community services.
The Open Mental Health Conference showcased the award-winning programme of care for Somerset that has transformed traditional models of provision.
The event, which took place at Somerset County Cricket Club, featured a range of breakout sessions, panel discussions and key speakers. These included Peter Lewis, Chief Executive at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive at Rethink Mental Illness; and Juliet Lyon CBE, Independent Chair of the Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance.
Representatives from local authorities, NHS trusts, national charities and voluntary organisations were among the conference delegates. They attended to find out more about the Somerset’s Open Mental Health (OMH) alliance and understand how they might to implement similar models of care in their areas of the country.
OMH is an alliance of mental health organisations who work together to support adults in Somerset and ensures people living with mental health problems get the right support at the right time.
Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The conference was a great opportunity for us to reflect on the outstanding progress that has been made in transforming the traditional model of care for mental health services across Somerset.
“Open Mental Health has made the system more efficient and easier for people to navigate, supported by our team of ‘recovery partners and Experts by Experience’ – people who use their lived experience of mental health issues, and recovery, to help others and shape open mental health services.
“The ‘no wrong door’ approach we have developed ensures that people’s needs are responded to regardless of where they come into contact with services. It was great to be able to share all this outstanding work with a wider national audience.”
Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive at Rethink Mental Illness, said: “Somerset is truly a trailblazer when it comes to showing how community mental health support can be transformed, and this conference was a brilliant opportunity to showcase some of the progress made so far.
“When the whole system works together in partnership, with experts by experience playing an invaluable role in shaping services so they truly respond to people’s needs, huge progress can be achieved.“We are very proud to be one of many organisations working together to improve access to services and support in Somerset, and we hope the conference helped inspire everyone in attendance and provided learnings to be taken to other parts of the country.”
OMH provides round-the-clock access to a number of specialist services, including NHS support, wellbeing workers, peer support workers and support with money, benefits and housing.
The alliance comprises local charities and voluntary organisations, the NHS and social care, local authorities, including Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau, Mind, Rethink Mental Illness, Somerset County Council, NHS Somerset’s Foundation Trust and Integrated Care Board.
It aims to transform traditional model of care by making sure people’s needs are met to regardless of where they come into contact with services. This ‘no wrong door’ approach makes the system more efficient and easier for people to navigate.
A key principle of the OMH approach is its work with ‘Experts by Experience’ – people who use their lived experience of mental health issues, and recovery, to help others and shape OMH services. This is also known as ‘co-production’.
Its success was recognised in 2021, when Somerset NHS Foundation Trust – a key partner in the alliance – was named Mental Health Trust of the Year at the prestigious HSJ Awards, for its work with OMH.
Judges describe the programme as “an exemplar entry evidencing true partnership in action. It outlined a real cultural shift in terms of delivery of great care, co-production across all areas and a real attention to detail in both the original submission and presentation. The breadth of change across the entire organisation and partnership was palpable and a truly holistic approach shone through.”
February 28 2023
Editor Notes:
Pictured from left to right:
Mark Yates, Director of Operations, Rethink Mental Illness, Peter Lewis, Chief Executive at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust; Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive at Rethink Mental Illness; and Juliet Lyon CBE, Independent Chair of the Open Mental Health VCSE Alliance, Jane Yeandle, Service Director, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Directorate, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust.
For further information contact Hannah Nicholas OMH Communications Team on 07968715380 or email: omhcomms@rethink.org