Working to make mental health services better for you
One in four people in England experience a mental health problem, and one in six experience common mental health problems (Source: MIND). North Yorkshire has similar rates of hospital admissions for intentional self-harm compared to the national average. With a sparse population and limited access to services, residents in our smaller communities struggle to receive necessary care in the largest county in England.
What you told us
We wanted to better understand people's experiences so that providers can understand what is needed to make improvements. We have put together a report and sent it to those in charge of NHS mental healthcare services to do something about it.
Read our full report on mental health
In addition to a lack of access to mental health services, those that do tell us that they aren't always receiving timely, person-centred and quality care.
Our people have also said that they feel ignored, or are constantly being asked to take part in surveys and give feedback, yet nothing ever comes of it.
How the NHS is working to make things better
There's a long way to go, but action is being taken as a result of your feedback:
- The North Yorkshire & York Mental Health Alliance, who are working on something called a community mental health transformation programme, has produced a commitment plan to action our recommendations and we will be working with them over the next year to see how they have implemented these and document the impact this has made. See the full report for the commitment plan.
- Community mental health groups for Harrogate, Scarborough, Selby, Hambleton and Richmondshire have used the findings and report recommendations to set their work plans and where they will spend their money in 2024.
- The development of new community mental health hubs is underway across the county in response to our recommendations to help increase access to a range of interventions based on individual needs and with focussing care on a person. These hubs are being developed by the people with mental health conditions and experiences.
- The North Yorkshire & York Mental Health Alliance have used our recommendations to develop new mental health support roles, including peer support and care navigators to help people engage with the support they require, helping to build rapport and supporting individuals to connect with their wider community.
- Healthwatch will be attending quarterly meetings to discuss progress and, if needed, holding providers accountable.
- A £200,000 project to help improve the lives of people with significant mental ill-health has been launched in North Yorkshire.
- Funding worth £5 million will be allocated to North Yorkshire Council, by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to support the council and its partners to better understanding the capacity and skill issues that are impacting the health of North Yorkshire’s communities.
- University of York did some research, inviting the public to share views on the admin process when it comes to accessing mental health support
- The Department of Health and Social Care have launched a £10m suicide prevention fund to support activities delivered in England by non-profit organisations.
- Enhanced training opportunities for healthcare professionals working to support people with their mental health.
- Work to keep young people with eating disorders out of hospital and in the community has helped to significantly cut both admissions and re-admissions.
