Mental health digital playbook

This resource provides support to clinical teams and organisations that are looking for digital tools that support the delivery of patient pathways. In this playbook, we concentrate on mental health pathways. Key learning has been highlighted across a range of areas including stakeholder engagement, governance, usability and system readiness for change. We welcome feedback on the playbooks, including ideas for further case studies. To get in touch, please email digital.playbooks@nhs.net

Scenarios

I need to provide remote services

Digital solutions to enable remote multidisciplinary team functioning and information sharing to reduce administrative burden and to improve patient experience, including patients with specific needs (e.g. agoraphobia or immobility).

I want to be able to communicate easily with patients and help them to access support

Digital tools and patient held records system to help patients access support from professionals and peers; provide patients with personalised care and digital information to aid recovery.

I want to improve the experience for patients accessing multiple services

Digital solutions to facilitate the provision of joined-up mental and physical health care and enable access to integrated care where appropriate.

I need to set up electronic prescribing and medicines administration (EPMA) systems

Medicines information could be accessed anytime from any location securely via remote access to improve patient experience and safety.

I want to use analytics and dashboards to provide the best care possible at the point of care

Digital solutions to provide immediate summary of information to support staff to deliver appropriate care and treatment.

I want to help patients receive psychological therapy faster and reduce waiting times

Digital solutions to provide patients to access timely support and care from relevant professionals.

I want to help patients and carers access information to aid recovery

Provide reliable and easily accessible digital information about mental health with patients and carers for timely support.

Pathway

Mental health pathway

Explore case studies at different steps along the mental health pathway

Case studies

Online platform for virtual working with patients and carers supports self-management and more personalised care

South London Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust develops a free and secure way for patients and carers to stay connected with their care team.

A peer support-based e-health system to improve care and recovery

Patients and clinicians at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust designed an online therapeutic networking platform to support service users at risk of experiencing a crisis or relapsing.

Using an electronic prescribing and medicines administration system (EPMA) in high secure services

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust works to improve patient experience and safety through the implementation of an electronic prescribing and medicines administration system (EPMA).

Maximising the benefits of mobile working when covering a large geographical area

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust introduced a user-friendly, easily-accessible mobile working solution to reduce the need for field-based staff returning to base to carry out administrative work.

Online consultations in mental Health at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

The NHS Foundation Trust introduced a new digital choice for service users to gain access to mental health services.

Clinical dashboards and ‘at-a-glance’ information boards to improve inpatient care

A NHS Trust digitise inpatient data to give instant access to information and improve clinical care

Electronic prescribing and medicines administration in mental health inpatient wards

Berkshire Health NHS Foundation Trust implemented a solution that digitalises the process of prescribing and recording medication administered to inpatients.

Video consultations for mental health services reduce missed appointments and improve user experience

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust modernised their approach to consultations by offering video consultations between clinicians and service users.

Improving access to psychological therapies through online therapies and consultations

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust deployed an online platform which allows service users to undergo self-guided psychological, evidence-based therapy with online clinical support, through text or face-to-face as required.

A caseload management and supervision tool for community mental health services

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust used a digital solution to analyse mental health data from multiple sources to support decision-making based on service user needs and to determine the likely resources required to provide safe and effective care.

Co-developing a mobile application with young service users

Worcestershire Health and Care Trust co-produced a safe digital space with young service users to drive up engagement with CYPMHS services.

Enhancing communications between primary care and secondary care mental health with an Advice and Guidance service

Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has introduced an Advice and Guidance service which enables GPs to use their EPR system to contact consultant psychiatrists in secondary care for clinical advice.

The digital ward - using mobile technology in the inpatient ward environment

Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust implemented a digital application to transform the way patients’ physical observations are recorded.

EPMA in mental health: focus on prescribing and administering long acting injections

Introducing an electronic prescribing and medicines administration system for mental health which enables all staff to access prescriptions remotely.

Increasing engagement with young people's services in Essex through co-produced social media content

How an Instagram account is helping a service to better support and communicate with young people who might be struggling with their mental health or wellbeing.

Remote consultation in Deaf CYPMHS as a result of COVID-19 measures

The York-based Deaf CYPMHS service have introduced a remote working model that takes into consideration the unique Deaf CYPMHS service-user, carer, and professional team’s communication, engagement and interaction needs.

Integrating mental and physical healthcare at King’s Health Partners

King’s Health Partners worked to integrate mental and physical healthcare at a number of sites in south London to improve the support available for patients experiencing psychological distress while receiving treatment for a physical health condition.

A digital recovery platform for severe mental illness

How a digital platform is providing an integrated and interactive patient-led method for individuals with severe mental illness to access timely support from all relevant professionals.

Mental health webinars

Watch the mental health digital playbook webinar we presented with the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 2 September 2021. This webinar is available to watch until September 2022.

Watch the mental health digital playbook webinar we presented with the HFMA on 19 November 2021.

Disclaimer

These case studies summarise user and patient experiences, focussing on:

digital solutions along different care pathways
productivity improving digital solutions
how to open source code for health and care organisations

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the apps and digital tools referenced are not supplied, distributed or endorsed by NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care and such parties are not liable for any injury, loss or damage arising from their use.

All playbook case studies have either passed, or are currently undergoing the Digital Technology Assessment Criteria (DTAC) assessment.

Please note the full legal disclaimer: NHS Transformation Directorate playbook disclaimer