Adult secondary mental health services: consultation analysis

7 Workforce

7.1 Introduction

Part five of consultation asked seven questions on the workforce standards.

7.2 Question 31

Table 7.1 provides the quantitative response to Question 31.

This shows that around two-thirds of all consultation respondents who answered Question 31 either agreed or strongly agreed (65%) that the standards within this theme will improve the experiences of people using secondary mental health services.

Base = 82 (individuals = 44 and organisations = 38)

Tables may not total 100% due to rounding

7.3 Question 32

Table 7.2 provides the quantitative response to Question 32.

This shows that roughly three-fifths of all consultation respondents who answered Question 32 either agreed or strongly agreed (61%) that the standards within this theme will improve the outcomes of people using secondary mental health services. A relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (25%) with this statement.

Base = 81 (individuals = 43 and organisations = 38)

Tables may not total 100% due to rounding

7.4 Question 33

Table 7.3 provides the quantitative response to Question 33.

This shows that over half of all consultation respondents who answered Question 33 either agreed or strongly agreed (59%) that the standards within this theme clearly set out to individuals, their families, and carers what they can expect from a secondary mental health service. A relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (26%) with this statement.

Base = 81 (individuals = 43 and organisations = 38)

Tables may not total 100% due to rounding

7.5 Question 34

Almost two-thirds (65%) of all consultation respondents answered Question 34 which asked respondents whether they think there is anything missing from the workforce standards.

Theme 1: A repeat of the key themes

Some respondents (individuals and all organisation sub-groups) repeated points they made to earlier consultation questions (see Section 2.5 – Key themes) – this typically related to the need for additional funding, more detail on how the standards would be implemented, and how the standards would be underpinned by appropriate scrutiny and accountability arrangements.

“No recognition on the current challenges of recruitment and retention. No recognition of budget resource required and the lack of funding for development of the workforce. It would be very difficult to meet the standards with the current staffing issues”.

East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Theme 2: Scope for the standards to be improved or strengthened

A few respondents felt that the standards as set out in the consultation document could be enhanced or further strengthened in some way.

The points raised were generally single points, and included that:

• neurodiversity training was considered lacking among the workforce - this makes it more difficult to treat people with diverse and complex needs
• more time could be set aside for the workforce to be able to familiarise themselves with people’s care and treatment plans in advance of meetings
• the values of care, compassion, dignity and respect should underpin the workforce standards
• there may be a need to create and support more of a culture of innovation in mental health and learning disability services
• other relevant standards could be acknowledged, and there should be consistent messaging around how the adult secondary mental health standards relate to other standards – for example, the Royal College of Psychiatry, MAT standards, Primary Care Standards, Health and Social Care Standards

7.6 Question 35

The Scottish Government recognise that currently not everyone has the same experiences or outcomes when they engage with mental health services. They want these standards to help make sure that services meet everyone’s needs whoever you are and whatever your background.

Table 7.4 provides the quantitative response to Question 35.

This shows that more than half of all consultation respondents who answered Question 35 either agreed or strongly agreed (55%) that the workforce standards will help do this. A relatively large proportion of respondents neither agreed nor disagreed (25%) with this statement.

Base = 79 (individuals = 43 and organisations = 86)

Tables may not total 100% due to rounding

7.7 Question 36

Just over half (52%) of all consultation respondents answered Question 36 which asked respondents whether they had any suggestions for how the workforce standards could go further to help ensure that services meet everyone’s needs.

Theme 1: A repeat of the key themes

Some respondents (individuals and all organisation sub-groups) repeated points they made to earlier consultation questions – see Section 2.5 for more detail (for example, additional funding and workforce development to ensure staff have the skills, knowledge, capacity and capability to deliver the standards).

Related points on workforce development and continuing professional development (CPD) are reflected in the organisation quote below.

“Standards might require that training needs analyses are conducted and that training plans are in place. Routine training needs analysis, linked to client need and implementation of a rolling programme of planned CPD is key to improving service delivery; as is adequate workforce planning. Given the challenges in recruiting to posts at present, adequate access to appropriate, high quality, planned CPD will enhance recruitment and retention; and therefore is worthy of inclusion in the MH Standards.

Standards might also make reference to staff who are trainees / students / on placement to acknowledge that secondary care mental health services actively engage in supporting staff who are still in training, and it may be helpful for people accessing services to know this and to have assurances about the governance arrangements in place should part of their care be provided by a trainee/student.

Standards might also make reference to value of the non-clinical staff that work within secondary mental health services and can / are involved in, and support, patient contact”.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Theme 2: The standards could go further to better support the workforce wellbeing

A few respondents (individuals, Health Boards, other organisations and organisations who support specific target groups) felt that the workforce standards could go further in terms of how the standards would best support the wellbeing of the workforce.

These respondents reported that the COVID-19 pandemic and pressure on health budgets had increased workforce stress and burnout and had a wider impact on service delivery.

The Standards should go further by explaining that an assessment of population need will guide workforce planning, service improvement work, training plans for staff etc. Although trauma-informed and equality and diversity training is essential for all staff, this is insufficient for a mental health service supporting people with complex needs, including diversity”.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Theme 3: Increase involvement of people with lived experience within the workforce

A few mental health organisations noted in their response that greater focus could be placed on supporting action to increase the number of people with lived experience within the mental health workforce.

7.8 Question 37

Three-fifths (60%) of all consultation respondents answered Question 37 which asked respondents to share any of their thinking on the answers provided to Questions 31 to 36, and their views on the workforce standards overall.

From a review of the qualitative responses to Question 37, no new themes emerged that are not already captured above at Question 34 and Question 36.