As we come to the end of 2023 we wanted to reflect on some of the achievements of both the Wessex and Dorset and Kent and Sussex CAMHS Provider Collaboratives.
While there is still much to do to achieve our aim - that children and young people are cared for as close as possible to their family and community, in the least restrictive environment, do not spend any longer than is necessary in hospital and are supported in the community wherever possible as an alternative to inpatient care - we have made good progress.
Here are some of the key highlights of how, through partnership working, we are delivering against our aim, and improving the quality of care and experience for children and young people in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset.
- Spring Tide Eating Disorder Day Service in Brighton & Hove, the first of its kind in South East England, officially opened its doors in August 2023.
- Three short-stay beds have been established at Kent & Medway Adolescent Hospital to allow young people and their families to be treated in the community and admitted to hospital for a short period if required (these will be operational shortly).
- Three Eating Disorder beds at Kent and Medway Adolescent Hospital which are part of the wider All Aged Eating Disorder Team and pathway for continuity of care and treatment.
- Family Ambassadors have been established in all in-patient units in Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset, providing much-needed support to families and carers.
- The Closer2Home intensive home treatment programme was launched in February 2022 as a jointly-managed initiative between Dorset Healthcare, Southern Health and Solent NHS trusts. There were 195 referrals to the service between November 2022 and October 2023.
- A new eating disorder day service at Leigh House in Hampshire welcomed its first cohort of young people in November 2023. The service has been developed as part of the refurbishment of the inpatient unit on the same site, which is due to re-open in early 2024.
- Transition and supported discharge services have been established in Dorset and Hampshire to prepare and support young people to return home after a period in hospital.
We are looking forward to 2024 and building on the positive partnership working to continue to develop a further mix of services to support the needs of children and young people with acute mental health needs.