Continued from Partnership In Action Part 1
A further update from the CMHT Partnership, from Anna Simpson:
11th July – 
Attended the team meeting, discussed first were Causes for Concern,. 
The workers discussed SUs who are unwell at the moment and need flagging – similar to the CST Red/Orange/Green Traffic Lights. In the meeting are the clinical leads and the consultants so workers can get their opinions and extra support if needed. 
I was impressed at how supportive the senior members of staff are to the CPNs and OTs. 
The meeting splits off once Causes for Concern are discussed and the staff discuss ‘Gatekeeping Assessments’ – new assessments, to get advice and support from other staff and clinical leads.
I was asked for my input from a social perspective and was happy to provide some suggestions for a new SU experiencing reported DV from a partner, and who seemed isolated. It was recommended that they engage in some single sex groups, possibly with Mind or Connect For Health, to build up a positive network around them.
In the afternoon – I attended an unannounced visit with Minja to a SU who has been disengaging. We discussed their treatment direction and what support they need. 
We discussed their alcohol use too. The plan for the end of service is for them to access Forward Leeds. I gave some reassurance about what this support would look like the client, which seemed well received. The plan is also to engage with Connect for Health and join social groups such as yoga, as they are very isolated and admitted their boredom leads to drinking… Minja will help them with the referrals for these goals.
13th July – 
I attended the team’s ‘Business Meeting’ in which many things discussed, including how measuring outcomes and how this works with their computer system ‘PARIS’. 
It was interesting to see the different tools they use to reach some of their outcomes. I was able to recognise some tools I have used before, including PHQ, AUDIT and GAD-7, which I recognised would also be very useful for CST staff to use to measure outcomes, but also as a useful intervention with contemplative SUs around low mood, alcohol use, anxiety and seeking support for these issues.
Also in the meeting they discussed other services coming attending to discuss how their services run and drum up interest, such as Connect for Health and EPP.
18th July – 
I again attended their morning team meeting again in the morning, running through their most ill service users, raising awareness and feeding back from new assessments or ‘Gatekeeping’. 
I was impressed at the care and detailed discussions that took place around new assessments. I observed that even when it was agreed the client was not suitable to be taken onto caseload, the team still insisted on ensuring that suggestions and signposting were followed up by GP or other involved professionals, or if it wasn’t clear, they were instructed to obtain further information before rejecting the referral. I was also able to provide my input around suitable services such as Positive Pathways for CPNs who felt stuck on where to get additional support from.
I sat in on the duty team in the afternoon and listened to phone calls, experiencing a very many calls from very ill people, including suicidal service users. The staff did an amazing job keeping everything calm and under control. 
The staff also took time to talk to me about useful resources such as videos on YouTube for SUs like, Big Black Dog if Depression and Jonny Benjamin – when you can’t sleep.
20th July – 
In the morning I sat in on a Gatekeeping Assessment with CPN Kate for a t was for a schizophrenic client who attended with their family. They had provided an Urdu translator as English was not the individual’s first language. 
The session was delivered very sensitively by the CPN and it was great to see such a warm and supportive family. It was agreed they will not need to be taken onto the CMHT caseload as no current needs emerged and the family will care for them, which seemed a very positive outlook with the support involved. 
In the afternoon, I used some of the new knowledge I gained in the duty session yesterday when I attended an appointment with Minja to see a client experiencing depression. They had lots of dogs, so whilst we were completing their care plan we discussed the ‘Black Dog of Depression’. The client stated said that they had never thought about their depression in a as something that requires looking after, and taking responsibility for. They stated that it had helped a lot to look at it in a different way, instead of fighting against it. A great outcome!
We also went out to see a very distressed person who experiences anxiety and low mood. When we arrived they were very upset and tearful as their usual worker is away. 
Minja and I reassured them and discussed a simple technique to deal with some of the intrusive thoughts. I also discussed Touchstone CST and they requested a referral form, which I was very happy to provide. And I am pleased to report that when we left they were much happier
Anna Simpson
CST Support Worker
July 2016
Continued in Partnership In Action Part 3