Improving mental health support is a key element of the NHS Long Term Plan. In Sutton our transformation of community adult mental health services is already having a big impact on people getting the support they need.
If it wasn’t for my Peer Support Worker, I would feel completely isolated. I am so grateful for their help and understanding of my disabilities.
Service user
How mental health care is changing
- Improving access to mental health services. We have invested in recruiting additional staff in a range of new roles to support the expansion of new NHS services. This includes peer support, employment/placement support and carers support. Sutton has two Community Mental Health Integrated Recovery Hubs replacing the Community Mental Health Recovery Support Teams. The teams work closely with GPs to provide care within local neighbourhoods including Sutton and Cheam, and Carshalton and Wallington. By developing community-based services like crisis cafes and community clinics, we’ve been able to reach more people who need support.
- Expanding the range of therapies available. People now have access to a wider range of talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy and structured clinical management. Digital services and specialised support for severe and complex mental health conditions are also available.
- Creating new models of care. By working in partnership with health and care services and voluntary sector organisations we can provide coordinated mental health support. This new model of care promotes step-up and step-down support between GPs to the Integrated Recovery Hubs. Or similarly, Integrated Recovery Hubs to in-patient or specialist care.
- Empowering local people. The change made to mental health services have been created with professionals, community groups and people using mental health services. Consquently, we have provided more peer support opportunities, sign-posted people to relevant information and promoted self-help groups residents can join.
My sister feels comfortable talking with Peer Support Workers and really feels like they are on the same wavelength.
Service user’s family member
The power of working together
Throughout this project NHS South West London has been working closely with the Sutton voluntary, community and social enterprise sector. GPs have also played a key role, ensuring that we are able to provide the best possible care for patients.
Dr Debbie Stinston, Consultant Psychiatrist, Clinical Director for Mental Health, Sutton Place said: “The aim of the community mental health transformation programme is to introduce a more holistic model of care for people with severe mental illness. In Sutton, we have been able to co-produce a locally relevant mental health service, which is mapped onto the Primary Care Networks.
“We have improved local partnership working (including peer support workers), simplified care pathways e.g., for people with complex emotional needs and provided a single point of access and referral.”
Hina Rahimi, Assistant Head of Transformation for Sutton Place also highlighted how working together can help make a real difference to people affected by poor mental health. “The partnership remains committed to continuing our work to improve collaborative working, access to mental health services and to expand the range of therapies available to people in the community.
“We’re currently working hard to develop systems to improve and better understand the outcomes and experiences of our service users and carers. In the future we look forward to further strengthen our links with physical and social care under the umbrella of integrated neighbourhood teams across Sutton to help our service users and carers have a more seamless experience.”
Want to find out more?
Sutton Uplift is a community-based mental health and wellbeing hub. It is available to anyone over the age of 18 living in Sutton or registered with a Sutton GP. They offer services to those with common mental health problems or with severe mental illness.
Sutton Uplift