The partnership of eight providers, led by Devon Partnership NHS Trust, and including the other mental health NHS Trusts and independent providers in the region, is responsible for commissioning medium and low secure mental health services for adults from the South West of England. Launched in 2017, the partnership is the biggest geographical site in the first wave of the New Care Models for Tertiary Mental Health programme.
The aims of the programme are to reduce out of area placements, improving access to services closer to home, and developing strong regional networks to support a seamless pathway though services back into the community, thereby reducing lengths of stay in secure services and facilitating earlier discharge.
The award in the Mental Health category, was awarded to Devon Partnership Trust on behalf of the Partnership, and recognizes the achievements and progress made in meeting these aims.
The Partnership now plans to focus on community forensic teams to further develop the regional networks, and support the ethos of least restrictive environments.