Recent Publications
This section is updated monthly and highlights the key policies and reports that have been recently published. All entries are dated with links to other sites to access the original document.
Statistics published on mentally disordered offenders
Posted: February 25 2010
The latest Ministry of Justice Statistics on mentally disordered offenders have been published and include information about patients admitted to, detained in, or discharged from psychiatric hospitals.
For more information visit the Ministry of Justice website.
Study published into cases of suicide among patients absconding from mental health services
Posted: February 25 2010
Professor Louis Appleby, national clinical director for mental health and other researchers at Manchester University have published a study which examines cases of suicide by people in contact with mental health services in England and Wales between 1997 and 2006.
View the report on the BMC website.
The NHS operating framework for England for 2010/11
Posted: February 01 2010
The operating framework for the NHS for 2010/11 sets out the priorities for the NHS for the year ahead to enable them to begin their planning.
View the framework and related links on the Department of Health website.
Results of survey on the state of mental well being in the North West is published
Posted: January 29 2010
The largest and most detailed investigation into the mental health and wellbeing of people in the North West has been published. The survey shows significant differences in levels of mental wellbeing and that there needs to be much greater attention and effort on improving mental wellbeing.
For more information visit the NHS Confederation website.
NHS Standard Contract & Guidance for Mental Health and Learning Disability published
Posted: January 29 2010
The new NHS standard contract for Mental Health and Learning Disability whas been published. It cover's agreements between PCTs and all types of provider delivering NHS funded mental health services.
View the contract on the Dept of Health website.
Keeping children and young people in mind: the Government's full response to the independent review of CAMHS
Posted: January 11 2010
The full Government response to the final report of the independent CAMHS review, setting out progress to date and plans for the future of children and young people's mental health.
View the publication on the Dept of Health website.
Too much of the hardstuff: what alcohol costs the NHS
Posted: January 11 2010
This NHS Confederation report published in association with the Royal College of Physicians argues that if alcohol consumption continues to rise at its current level then the burden on the NHS will become unsustainable.
Work, Recovery and Inclusion: Employment support for people in contact with secondary mental health services
Posted: January 11 2010
Work, Recovery and Inclusion is a new government delivery strategy that sets out a series of actions that will help meet the aspirations of people in contact with secondary mental health services who want to work.
Commissioning Friend for Mental Health
Posted: December 24 2009
The National Mental Health Development Unit (NMHDU)and Commissioning Support for London (CSL) have revised and updated their publication 'The Commissioning Friend for Mental Health Services'.
Realising Ambitions – Better Employment Support for People with a Mental Health Condition
Posted: December 24 2009
This Department for Work and Pensions review looks at how people with mental health conditions can be given greater support in finding employment opportunities.
New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health
Posted: December 24 2009
This publication sets out the aims of New Horizons - the cross-government programme of action has been launched to improve the mental well-being of people in England and drive up the quality of mental health care.
Applying the NHS Performance Framework to Mental Health Trusts
Posted: November 27 2009
This document informs mental health trusts, PCTs and SHAs of the criteria against which mental health performance will be assessed. It should be read alongside Implementing the NHS Performance Framework.
View on the Dept of Health website.
Mental health and the economic downturn: National priorities and NHS solutions
Posted: November 26 2009
This report, produced jointly by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mental Health Network and the London School of Economics and Political Science, explores the impact the economic downturn is having on mental health as well as where some of the solutions may lie for those working at a local and national level in service provision and policy.
View on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website.
A civilised society: Mental health provision for refugees and asylum-seekers in England and Wales
Posted: November 26 2009
This report, produced by Mind, explores the effect of the asylum process and its impact on the mental health and wellbeing on refugees and asylum seekers.
View the report on the Mind website.
Improving Health, Supporting Justice
Posted: November 20 2009
This Department of Health publication is the national delivery plan of the Health and Criminal Justice Programme Board which is a response to Lord Bradley's review earlier in the year of people with mental health and learning disabilities in the criminal justice system.
View the delivery plan on the Department of Health website.
NICE issues guidance on promoting mental wellbeing
Posted: November 17 2009
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published guidance for employers on promoting mental wellbeing at work through productive and healthy working conditions. It aims to help reduce the estimated 13.7 million working days lost each year due to work-related mental health conditions including stress, depression and anxiety.
View the guidance on the NICE website.
NICE issues updated guidance on the treatment of depression
Posted: October 28 2009
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has published updated guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults and new guidance on the treatment and management of depression in adults with chronic physical health problems.
Links to these updates and other guidance can be found on our NICE Guidelines page.
NHS as the preferred provider
Posted: October 21 2009
Following the Secretary of State's recent comments assuring the NHS they remained the government's 'preferred provider' David Nicholson has written a letter to NHS chief executives with proposals on how to move this policy forward through the development of future guidance.
View the letter on the Department of Health website.
World Class Commissioning post promotional films on YouTube
Posted: October 19 2009
Initially shown at Primary Care Live London at the end of September, World Class Commissioning have posted a number of short videos on YouTube. The films are all five to seven minutes in length and their aim is to introduce people to WCC and demonstrate current good practice.
Draft psychological support measures
Posted: October 19 2009
The Department of Health has published a draft version of the Psychological Support measures for the Manual of Cancer Services and is being issued for a three month consultation.
View the draft on the Department of Health website.
Improving access to child and adolescent mental health services
Posted: August 12 2009
This best practice guide has been produced jointly by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
Download the guidance on the Department of Health website.
National Confidential Inquiry into Suicide and Homicide by People with Mental Illness
Posted: August 12 2009
The Centre for Suicide Prevention within the University of Manchester has published their annual report into suicide and homicides committed by individuals suffering from a mental health condition. The report found that has been a 36 per cent fall in the number of in-patients dying by suicide in the period 1997-2006.
Download the report on the University of Manchester website.
Payment by Results in Mental Health: A review of the international economic assessment of the Care Pathways Approach
Posted: July 27 2009
Commissioned for the Department of Health by the University of Leeds this report looks at mental health funding in other countries.
Download the report on the NHS Confederation website.
A Future Vision for Mental Health
Posted: July 27 2009
The Future Vision coalition, which includes the Mental Health Foundation, has come together to publish the report 'A Future Vision for Mental Health' which seeks to contribute to the debate about the future of mental health in the UK.
Download the report on the Mental Health Foundation website.
Coercion and Consent - Monitoring the Mental Health Act 2007–2009
Posted: July 27 2009
The Mental Health Commission's 13th and final biennial report covers the period 2007-2009.
Download the report on the Care Quality Commission website.
Recognising complexity: commissioning guidance for personality disorder services
Posted: July 27 2009
The Department of Health has published guidance for commissioners in the NHS, criminal justice system, local authorities and others, which provides information and suggestions on best practice when considering services and systems for people with personality disorders.
View the guidance on the Department of Health website.
Getting the medicines right
Posted: July 20 2009
The National Mental Health Development Unit has published a report that This evaluates key existing medicines management schemes and their applicability to acute mental health settings and suggests a five-stage model framework for delivering better medicines management. This guidance supports local decision making in adopting more effective and personalised medicines procedures in acute mental health units.
Download the report from the National Mental Health Development Unit website.
The National Suicide Prevention Annual report of progress in 2008 published
Posted: July 20 2009
The National Mental Health Development Unit has published its annual report into suicide prevention. The report finds that the overall suicide rate is now the lowest on record though it warns against complacency in the current economic climate.
Download the report from the National Mental Health Development Unit website.
Death of the smoking den
Posted: July 07 2009
The Mental Health Foundation has published a report 'Death of the smoking den' that looks at the impact the introduction of no smoking legislation in 2008 has had on psychiatric units in England.
Download the report on the Mental Health Foundation website.
Commissioning mental health care in the criminal justice system
Posted: June 25 2009
The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health has published a useful '10 Top Tips' for PCT Boards in terms of commissioning mental health care in the criminal justice system.
Read more on the Sainsbury Centre website.
Review of Secure Mental Health Services
Posted: June 25 2009
The Welsh Assembly has published its review of Secure Mental Health Services.
Read more on the Welsh Assembly website.
WCC Programme - June Update
Posted: June 11 2009
This letter from Gary Belfield gives a progress report on the world class commissioning (WCC) programme including trailing WCC sessions at the NHS Confederation Conference and Health Innovation Expo, a new Practical Guide on PBC for GPs, new support and development events, web resources and FECS guide as well as an update on Integrated Care Pilots.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Childhood mental health and life chances in post-war Britain
Posted: May 27 2009
The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health have published a study that looks at the long-term effects of conduct and emotional problems in adolescence. It finds that mental health problems in children and teenagers have a significant impact on their chances of success in employment and family life.
Read more on the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health website.
Access to Justice: evidence of the experiences of adults with mental health problems
Posted: May 27 2009
The Ministry of Justice have published a review that was undertaken to investigate the evidence base on how adults with mental health problems experience civil, family and criminal justice.
Read more on the Ministry of Justice website.
Same-sex accommodation programme- update
Posted: May 12 2009
The Chief Nursing Officer and Director General NHS Finance, Performance and Operations have published a joint letter updating progress in delivering same-sex accommodation and confirms further actions required in the coming months. It also contains the definitions drawn up for delivering the same-sex accommodation programme.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Nacro Mental Health & Criminal Justice Digest Special Edition – The Bradley Report
Posted: May 12 2009
Nacro have published a special edition of their Mental Health & Criminal Justice Digest. The digest draws together the responses to, and coverage of, Lord Bradley’s review of people with mental health problems in the criminal justice system..
Click here to read the Digest.
Independent mental health advocates guidance
Posted: May 12 2009
The Department of Health has published advice in response to questions about whether independent mental health advocates (IMHAs) may access information in patients' health and social services records which would not be disclosed directly to patients, and, if so, whether IMHAs may disclose it to patients.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Creating an innovative culture
Posted: May 12 2009
A new legal duty for Strategic Health Authorities to promote innovation, which will act as an enabling tool for SHAs in driving innovation forward within local communities, commenced on 27th April. Best practice guidance - explaining the purpose of the duty, what it means for patients, public and staff, and where to seek further information - has also been issued.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Lord Bradley's review of people with mental health problems or learning disabilities in the criminal justice system
Posted: May 01 2009
The long awaited Bradley Review has now been published. This independent review was commissioned to examine the extent to which offenders with mental health problems or learning disabilities could, in appropriate cases, be diverted from prison to other services and the barriers to such diversion.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Evacuation of NHS premises guidance
Posted: Apr 24 2009
Recent events within the NHS have highlighted the importance of effective planning for the large-scale evacuation of NHS premises. The DH has published guidance for NHS providers on best practice for the evacuation and shelter of patients and staff within the context of the NHS emergency planning guidance.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Ordinary residence guidance and directions
Posted: Apr 24 2009
A consultation seeking views on the revision of guidance on the ordinary residence provisions in the National Assistance Act 1948 commenced on 21 April 2009. It is also seeking views on draft directions regarding local authority responsibilities when disputes arise and draft arrangements for disputes between English and Welsh authorities.
Read more on the Department of Health website.
Better Care Better Value Indicators (Quarter 3)
Posted: Apr 24 2009
The Quarter 3, 2008/09 data is now available. This quarter there are further enhancements to the NHS indicator explorer. PCT users can now select and view the information published for acute trusts that they commission services from and can also view additional pre-defined peer groups for comparison. An ongoing user survey is also available online which finishes at the end of April.
To view the data please the NHS Indicators website.
You’re Welcome - self-assessment toolkit
Posted: Apr 24 2009
The You're Welcome quality criteria will help transform health services (including non-NHS provision) to become more appropriate to the needs of young people. This self-assessment toolkit will support local areas to interpret and apply the criteria consistently.
Strategies to reduce missing patients
Posted: Apr 24 2009
A practical workbook designed to provide acute mental health staff key strategies, illustrated with positive practice examples, to reduce the number of patients who go missing from acute wards. It includes a self-assessment tool to assist staff in developing local improvement plans.
Extending direct payments – consultation response
Posted: Apr 24 2009
From 19 August to November 2008, the DH ran a public consultation on draft regulations extending direct payments to adults lacking the capacity to consent to their receipt and to people subject to provisions contained within mental health legislation. This document provides a summary response to that consultation.
A Guide for the Management of Dual Diagnosis in Prisons
Posted: Apr 24 2009
Dual diagnosis, the co-extistence of mental health and substance misuse problems, has a higher prevalence in prisons than in the general community. This document provides good practice guidance to commissioners and practitioners on for the management of dual diagnosis within a prison setting.
MCA deprivation of liberty safeguards guidance
Posted: Feb 27 2009
Guidance for PCTs, LAs, hospitals and care homes to support health and social care providers fulfil their statutory roles under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DOLS) legislation has now been published.
Launch of Prison Healthcare Quality Outcome Framework Toolkit
Posted: Feb 27 2009
The Quality Outcome Framework is not completely compatible with prison healthcare and can be complex to implement. In order to address these issues, the Prison Health Innovation Network has developed a toolkit which offers step by step guidance to implementing QOF in a prison environment.
Too Little, Too Late: An Independent Review of Unmet Mental Health Need in Prison
Posted: Feb 06 2009
The Prison Reform Trust have recently published a report suggesting that many people with mental health problems are entering the prison system when they may be more appropriately and cost effectively diverted to mental healthcare institutions.
Click here to view the full report.
The Mental Health Act 1983 (Independent Mental Health Advocates) (England) Regulations 2008
Posted: Jan 20 2009
This is the statutory tool that enables the introduction of Independent Mental Health Advocates.
The Seven Steps to patient safety in mental health – NPSA
Posted: Jan 20 2009
This publication describes a framework for mental health organisations, staff and teams on which to build work towards improving the safety of service users.
Punishment and Reform: Our Approach to Managing Offenders
Posted: Jan 05 2009
The Ministry of Justice publish details of their approach to managing offenders. It provides a high-level summary of how the principles of punishment and reform work under their approach to offender management.
Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (MCA DOLS)
Posted: Jan 05 2009
The MCA DOLS, due to commence on 1 April 2009, apply to all hospitals and care homes whether the person is funded by a local authority, PCT or through private arrangements. The published leasflet is aimed at staff who need to know about the new system.
Commissioning IAPT for the Whole Community: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies
Posted: Dec 18 2008
This document is intended to assist commissioners (including practice-based commissioners), to deliver Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services that are effective and appropriate for the whole community, using innovative ways of meeting the needs of local people. It is drawn from the work of the IAPT special interest groups (SIGs).
Long Term Conditions Positive Practice Guide
Posted: Dec 18 2008
This positive practice guide is intended to assist commissioners (including practice-based commissioners) to deliver Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services that are effective and appropriate for people with long term conditions using innovative ways of meeting the needs of local people these documents accompany the Commissioning IAPT for the Whole Community document above.
Personalisation: A Rough Guide
Posted: Dec 18 2008
This guide aims to tell the story so far about the personalisation of adult social care services. It is intended to set out our current understanding of personalisation at a very early stage of implementation, exploring what personalisation is, where the idea came from and placing the transformation of adult social care in the wider public service reform agenda.
