Sheffield review

Sheffield CCG to influence GPs to enquire about domestic abuse and substance misuse every time that a patient presents with mental health issues.

When early intervention mental health services cease once a need for secondary mental health services is identified, consideration needs to be given to what will ‘bridge the gap’.

The Sheffield Safer and Sustainable Communities Partnership to seek assurance from SHSC NHS Foundation Trust with regard to the following:
- future service redesign safeguards against any adverse impact upon service delivery
- timely and robust processes for referrals made to CMHT which incorporates the learning from this DHR.

Consideration should be given to selective domestic abuse enquires being made in cases of presenting acute mental illness within A&E, for the patient and for any partner accompanying them.

Sheffield CCG to encourage GPs to assess the risk of harm to others from those who have disclosed self-harm thoughts.

Consideration should be given to selective domestic abuse enquires being made in cases of presenting acute mental illness within Liaison, for the patient and for any partner accompanying them.

For the Sheffield City Council Public Health ACE workstream to consider the learning from this DHR

Sheffield CCG to influence GPs to recognise that those supporting people with mental health diagnoses are informal carers and should be offered support. The CCG will encourage GPs to document regular enquires about their patients care needs and caring responsibilities.

For the SSSCP to explore options for promoting local community awareness of domestic abuse and neighbourhood watch initiatives.

Sheffield CCG to encourage GPs to consider sharing information about caring responsibilities (and any potential risks to the carer) for patients who are being referred for Psychiatric assessments. If the carer is registered with a different GP practice then this could be done either with the patient’s consent or without disclosing the potential perpetrator’s details.

in cases of ongoing mental ill-health, good practice would be for a patient to be seen by the same General Practitioner

in cases of ongoing low mood, and misuse of medication, talking therapies should always be offered by the General Practitioner

when early intervention mental health services cease once a need for secondary mental health services is identified, consideration needs to be given to what will ‘bridge the gap’.

the Sheffield Safer and Sustainable Communities Partnership to seek assurance from SHSC NHS Foundation Trust with regard to the following:
 future service redesign safeguards against any adverse impact upon service delivery
 timely and robust processes for referrals made to CMHT which incorporates the learning from this DHR

Consideration should be given to selective domestic abuse enquires being made in cases of presenting acute mental illness within A&E, for the patient and for any partner accompanying them.

For the use of routine domestic abuse enquiries to be rolled out within all GP practices within Sheffield.

Ongoing priority is given to the need for a better understanding of carers, their needs and vulnerabilities and referral routes. Best practice would be for people who are identified as carers to be routinely offered signposting or referral for a carers assessment and to be seen alone.

For the Sheffield City Council Public Health ACE workstream to consider the learning from this DHR

For the SSSCP to explore options for promoting local community awareness of domestic abuse and neighbourhood watch initiatives.