Mental Health

The spread of new models and tools in neurodevelopmental and eating disorder services this year has helped to reduce time to diagnosis for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the duration of untreated eating disorders in young people, improving clinical outcomes. 

We’ve also facilitated networks and communities of practice to support organisations to identify, evaluate and adopt proven innovation. 

What was delivered in 2021-22? 

• We helped mental health trusts and community paediatric services to improve the ADHD assessment pathway by implementing QbTest to supplement current clinical assessment processes, and worked with commissioners and clinicians to understand how this diagnostic tool could impact current pathways.

• Collaborated with fellow AHSNs in the South East region to co-host a bi-monthly Community of Practice group with services implementing the national programmes, and additionally with NHS England and NHS Improvement to support the student mental health agenda.

• Supported the spread and implementation of the FREED model (First episode Rapid Early intervention for Eating Disorders) in eating disorder services across Dorset and Hampshire, including Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, promoting early assessment and intervention to speed up diagnosis and treatment in young people aged 16 to 25.

• Over 1,500 hours of tailored support were offered to our local systems and innovators to develop innovation in mental health, and more than 125 hours of evaluation expertise.

• Our teams worked with NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellows to help spread promising innovation in mental health across Wessex.

• We hosted an inaugural event to bring together key partners to inform and share good practice to improve the student mental health care offer. Over 100 people represented local authorities, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) providers, universities, NHS, the voluntary and community sector and students’ unions, all with the common vision of working together and sharing best practice to improve student wellbeing.