The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is consulting on draft recommendations that focus on the transition between inpatient mental health settings and community and care home settings to streamline mental healthcare.

A recent review into the provision of acute inpatient psychiatric care revealed major problems both in admissions and in providing alternative care in the community. The new guideline aims to streamline admission and focus support around discharge.

Recommendations include having a named practitioner within the person’s home area identified should that person be admitted to a hospital outside of the area they live in. This practitioner will be responsible for liaising with the ward treatment team to ensure recovery goals are reviewed regularly and that the person’s risk of self-harming upon discharge is assessed.

Recent research suggests that effective communication with the person’s family during the development of treatment plans could reduce suicide risk by 16%. In recognition of this, the draft recommendations highlight the benefit of keeping the person’s family, friends and carers properly informed.

The guideline also sets out overarching principles for how practitioners can better support people with mental health conditions throughout transitions so they are able to build resilience and cope with their everyday life. This includes what to consider when planning for an admission, developing crisis plans and preparing people for discharge.

Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Health and Social Care at NICE, said, ‘Over one thousand people with mental health problems commit suicide every year in England, sometimes just weeks after being discharged from hospital. We can help reduce this number by better communication, and more joint working, between hospital and community mental health teams. This guideline, when finalised, will help everyone needing mental health support have a better transition between services.’

Rebecca Harrington, an independent social care and health consultant and chair of the group that developed the guideline said, ‘Our aim is that people who need hospital treatment for their mental health needs are well supported before, during and after their time in hospital, so that they benefit from continuity of treatment and care, and avoid being isolated and stigmatised.

‘Evidence suggests that taking care to build therapeutic relationships at an early stage may help prevent the person feeling coerced and gain more benefit from their hospital stay. This may also improve the person's understanding of how to manage their own difficulties and to seek help appropriately if needed in future.

‘Clear and thorough discussion with the individual about their treatment and support plans, along with timely support to get back into their social and community networks, education or employment will help towards a successful recovery from the period of ill health.

‘The guideline includes the special considerations around hospital care for children and young people, for adults with learning disabilities and for people with dementia. These draft recommendations are the work of a committed group of service users, carers and professionals from across clinical and social care disciplines, and we welcome your comments.’

The consultation on streamlining mental healthcare closes on 27th April 2016, with the final guideline expected in the summer. Further detail is on the NICE website here.