Christy Hoskings
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Neurodevelopment Services across Wales are under increasing pressure, there is clear evidence that the demand for the service far outweighs its capacity (Demand and Capacity Review July 2022. The Welsh Government have announced that it is set to launch an improvement agenda and highlighted transition as one of the main priorities of this agenda over the next five years. As a Health Board we are investing in a transformation programme for Neurodevelopmental Services and are recruiting a Programme Manager and Clinical Lead to support the development and improvement of these services.
Several studies have been carried out in Wales and England to gain insights into the issues that young people face when they transition from Child and Adolsecent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS), and most have come up with the same recommendations. However there is yet to be any specific research, which focuses on children moving into adult services with a neurodevelopmental diagnosis or learning disability. This project wants to focus its attention on these young people through understanding their experiences of transitioning from CAMHS to AMHS.
Aims:
- To create a highly informed evidence base
- To grow the skills and confidence of children and young people and their families/carers to advocate for change and be actively involved in co-creating services.
- To build effective long term structures of coproduction for communities, partners and BCU services.
- To coproduce an evidence based strategy and action plan that will effectively develop service across health, education and social care systems.
Another significant advantage of the project is that is develops structures and a long term strategy, which can be supported through existing resources driven by the two Regional Patient Experience Leads for Children and Young People. The Leads will continue the structures of coproduction developed and be responsible for driving the strategy across health, social care and education systems with the support of BCU and the Regional Partnership Boards. The resources developed during the project will also be used for continued training and education both internally and externally, which is of significant value to support service development, in terms of embedded structures, ongoing strategy & resources, in-depth intelligence and value for money.
Approach:
The 100 stories project will be initially targeted at young adults, families and professionals who have experience of transitioning from children services to adults, including children and young people who were accessing support from CAMHS, Neurodevelopment and Learning Disability Services. The Project will be undertaken over a 12-month period, with a proposed start date of 1st May 2023. All reports will be completed within the 3-6months following the completion of the project, this allows for the completion of final analysis, evaluation and publication.
Anticipated outcomes:
- We will have a better understanding of the needs of our children and young people and their families/carers
- Our services will develop stronger partnerships and work together to develop their strengths and overcome their challenges.
- Our services will deliver effective care and support to meet the needs of our children and young people
- We will increase resilience in children and young people, providing more effective opportunities to support their wellbeing.
- We will provide the support that parents and carers need and feel is both useful and effective, enabling them to avoid falling into crisis and requiring more intensive interventions and support.
