MONDAY, 25 APRIL, 2016

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New approach for engagement around Mental Health Improvement Programme

Tayside NHS Board has welcomed a new approach for involving and engaging local stakeholders around its Mental Health Improvement Programme.

At its meeting in March, the Board approved the proposal that General Adult Psychiatry inpatient services should be provided from one or two locations in Tayside and requested that an option appraisal should be carried out looking at two site and one site options. The Board also asked that a programme of engagement was established with local stakeholders around the development of these options. A proposed way forward for this process was presented to Board members last week.

A series of stakeholder events will be held to develop and score the options with clinical, service and administration staff, and service user and carer representatives invited to take part. The three Tayside Integrated Joint Boards will also be asked to nominate representatives from the Health and Social Care Partnerships to participate.

It is planned that the sessions will take place in June which will give participants plenty of notice so they can make arrangements to attend. Training in the options appraisal process will also be offered to participants. Dates and venues will be circulated to participants once confirmed. During July and August, a full Business Case will be produced from the outcome of the options appraisal events with supporting data, financial appraisal, impact assessments and including the feedback gathered during the engagement process.

The outcome of this will be shared with the Integrated Joint Boards in Angus, Dundee and Perth & Kinross and Tayside NHS Board for a decision on the preferred model, following which there will be a further period of consultation with the public.

Tayside NHS Board members welcomed the new approach to involving and engaging with local stakeholders and looked forward to the full reports being presented at its meeting in August.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718