The CAMHS Self Assessment Matrix in 2004 showed that the majority of services had a completed or draft Transition protocol. This result was counter-intuitive, as most people in CAMHS knew that transition was a difficult area. It probably revealed that the self assessment had asked the wrong question.
The TRACK project, when it reports its findings, will have more to say about the efficacy of these protocols. To find out more about TRACK, follow this link:
http://www.sdo.lshtm.ac.uk/files/project/117-sci-summary.pdf
Leaving aside the always intriguing questions about who was involved in developing the protocol, does everyone actually know about/use it, etc, I am interested in what the protocols don’t currently do. The ones that I have seen cover arrangements for that small minority of young people who have a severe and enduring mental disorder, such as will be recognised by AMHS. That’s fine, but it leaves out a larger group of young people, who have continuing mental health needs, but are not eligible for AMHS (see also posting on Taxonomy of need).
In addition to Transition protocols we need to develop care pathways that include a variety of service options, for all young people who require some form of service to meet their mental health needs in older adolescence and young adulthood. The development of these will have to be multi-agency – including at least leaving care teams, housing agencies, voluntary organisations, primary and secondary health care.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment