Chirag Agarwal’s Post

There is no health without mental health. Over the last decade, we've worked in England through multi year partnerships focused on embedding improvement with East London NHS Foundation Trust, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and others. I've seen their progress first hand, as well as their challenges. Deeply committed staff and leaders, close partnership with service users, and many examples of great improvement work - in an environment of ever increasing demands, particularly in children and young people services. This comprehensive The King's Fund report is a valuable read for everyone working hard to provide outstanding care across England in mental health. Definitely worth reflecting on the findings and continuing to build on good work and strengthen areas to be improved. Just to be clear, the report "...is not exhaustive in its content. It aims to provide an understanding of key issues alongside specific areas of practice, including adult inpatient care, and children and young people’s mental health services." I selected a short executive summary of the quality and patient experience section below, just to give people a flavour. My sense for the last decade is that improving services will always add significant value and these efforts should continue. However, improving existing services is not enough. Given the disproportionate increase in demand versus services available, the most impactful changes to work towards in mental health include prevention, self management and partnership with users and communities, task shifting and task sharing, and radical new models of mental health and care. An exciting space full of innovation opportunities. https://lnkd.in/e8xFkFeJ "1. The proportion of mental health services rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ deteriorated between 2022 and 2023. 2. There is substantial and unwarranted variation in the quality of care between providers and services. 3. Satisfaction among NHS mental health care staff with the care their organisation provides has fallen to its lowest level in five years. 4. The experience of people accessing support for mental illness has declined. 5. An underlying feature of many identified failings in quality of care is the poor use of, and adherence to, processes that support management of quality and safety"

I stumbled upon a thought-provoking article today that sheds light on the critical issues currently plaguing our mental health care system. The piece discusses the alarming findings from a recent inquiry, revealing how mental health patients are often rushed through the system, a situation that undeniably demands our attention and action. Working closely with individuals navigating the complex journey of occupational rehabilitation, I find this article particularly relatable. It is not uncommon to see similar patterns where individuals with work-related mental health issues feel overlooked and underserved by the systems meant to support them. This inquiry insights serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a more compassionate, holistic approach in treating mental health, ensuring that every individual receives the time, care, and respect they deserve. The revelations from this inquiry are a clarion call to all of us involved in mental health and occupational rehabilitation. They underscore the importance of advocating for reforms that prioritise patient welfare over throughput. It is a reminder that in our efforts to support those in need, we must strive to create environments where healing is patient-centred and approaches are as comprehensive as the individuals we aim to help. I encourage you to read the article and reflect on the systemic changes necessary to better support mental health patients and those recovering from work-related mental health issues. Let’s discuss how we can contribute to a more effective and empathetic mental health care system. https://lnkd.in/eEAFwQ5A What are your thoughts on the findings of this inquiry? How do you think we can improve mental health care in our respective fields? #MentalHealthAwareness #OccupationalRehabilitation #HealthcareReform #PatientCenteredCare

📢 Important Update from the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc has recently highlighted significant concerns regarding the Better Access to Mental Health Scheme. Currently, the scheme provides just 10 sessions annually, which equates to less than one session per month. This is insufficient given that consistent, regular appointments are crucial for optimal therapy outcomes. Moreover, the current rebate amount falls short of adequately supporting clients throughout their psychological treatment. Research consistently underscores that frequent sessions are essential for effective mental health care. We encourage you to engage with your local members, as they hold substantial influence over potential reforms. Advocating for an increase in both the number of sessions and rebate amounts is vital for advancing mental health support across Australia. Your voice matters. Please reach out to your local members to drive this important change. https://lnkd.in/gze25Sva #MentalHealth #BetterAccess #Psychology #Advocacy #AustralianPsychologists

“Before we reinvest blindly in Medicare or hospital care, we really need to map out the service landscape of community mental health care. We need to decide, whether it’s funded as a foundational support or as out-of-hospital care or whatever, what are those key clinical and psychosocial services people need to help them recover and stay well in the community and how we can provide these equitably. This is particularly important for people with more severe or complex needs if we are to obviate the requirement for expensive, often traumatic hospital admission. Although most of the component elements of an organised, effective community mental health service response are known, the overall service landscape outside of Medicare or the hospital remains largely undrawn and plagued by ambiguous governance.” Read the article by Dr Sebastian Rosenberg https://lnkd.in/gSqYtvN8

In the high-stakes environment of medicine and healthcare, the battle against burnout and stress often overlooked behind the resilience of scrubs and stethoscopes. Healthcare professionals grapple with immense pressures, making the case for mental health support more critical than ever, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. This narrative calls for a seismic shift from stoicism to openness, advocating for the implementation of comprehensive support systems. These include counselling, peer support, mindfulness training, and wellness initiatives, aimed at bolstering the mental wellbeing of those dedicated to healing others. Moreover, destigmatising mental health discussions is pivotal in fostering an environment where healthcare workers feel empowered to seek help. By addressing these challenges and promoting resilience and self-care, the goal is to transform healthcare into a domain where the well-being of caregivers is as prioritised as that of their patients, ensuring a robust, compassionate, and effective healthcare system. This movement towards recognising and supporting the mental health of healthcare professionals is not just beneficial—it's essential for sustaining the heart of healthcare with strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication. #Nursing #nurses #nsw #mentalhealth #nursementalhealth #wellbeing #wellbeingatwork #nursewellbeing #retainingregisterednurses #recruitregisterednurses #healthnsw #nswhealth #medicine #healthcare #nsw #sydney #australia #australianeconomy #australianhealthcare #covid19 #pandemic #healthcareprofessionals #recruit #recruitment #recruitmentagency #australianrecruitmentagancy https://lnkd.in/g7h_dQwt

Mental Health: How payers may assist in repairing the flawed mental health care system https://t.ly/n_CrI #mentalhealth #healthonet

💥Medicare is set to broaden access to mental health care in 2024. This article unveils the details of this groundbreaking development, offering insights into the expanded coverage and its potential impact on mental health support. Learn more about this positive shift towards improved mental health services. #Medicare #MentalHealthCare #HealthcareNews

💥Medicare is set to broaden access to mental health care in 2024. This article unveils the details of this groundbreaking development, offering insights into the expanded coverage and its potential impact on mental health support. Learn more about this positive shift towards improved mental health services. #Medicare #MentalHealthCare #HealthcareNews

💥Medicare is set to broaden access to mental health care in 2024. This article unveils the details of this groundbreaking development, offering insights into the expanded coverage and its potential impact on mental health support. Learn more about this positive shift towards improved mental health services. #Medicare #MentalHealthCare #HealthcareNews

In the high-stakes environment of medicine and healthcare, the battle against burnout and stress often overlooked behind the resilience of scrubs and stethoscopes. Healthcare professionals grapple with immense pressures, making the case for mental health support more critical than ever, particularly in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. This narrative calls for a seismic shift from stoicism to openness, advocating for the implementation of comprehensive support systems. These include counselling, peer support, mindfulness training, and wellness initiatives, aimed at bolstering the mental wellbeing of those dedicated to healing others. Moreover, destigmatising mental health discussions is pivotal in fostering an environment where healthcare workers feel empowered to seek help. By addressing these challenges and promoting resilience and self-care, the goal is to transform healthcare into a domain where the well-being of caregivers is as prioritised as that of their patients, ensuring a robust, compassionate, and effective healthcare system. This movement towards recognising and supporting the mental health of healthcare professionals is not just beneficial—it's essential for sustaining the heart of healthcare with strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication. https://lnkd.in/g_W3NgT4 #Nursing #nurses #nsw #mentalhealth #nursementalhealth #wellbeing #wellbeingatwork #nursewellbeing #retainingregisterednurses #recruitregisterednurses #healthnsw #nswhealth #medicine #healthcare #nsw #sydney #australia #australianeconomy #australianhealthcare #covid19 #pandemic #healthcareprofessionals #recruit #recruitment #recruitmentagency #australianrecruitmentagancy