Mental health and wellbeing in primary care services: resources

26. Care Planning

26.1 Care Planning

Involving people in decisions about their care is intrinsic for all care plans. The Social Care Institute for excellence research on mental health and wellbeing demonstrates people who use services, their families and carers are experts by experience, bringing their knowledge and ideas on how their particular needs for care and support can be met. The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland have developed Carers, consent and confidentiality, good practice guides at how families can be involved in their relative’s care and treatment.

Health Care Improvement Scotland ihub page explains why person-centred care is important, putting the person receiving care at the centre of decision making creates a personalised, holistic approach to their care and in partnership through shared decision making, lets them be listened to.

Having person-centred conversations between individuals, their families and/or carers, and professionals helps people communicate their goals and preferences, and gives them opportunities to consider realistic options, and plan for future changes in their health and care. These conversations and any decisions made can be recorded, shared and reviewed. Their involvement leads to improved service outcomes and enhances mental wellbeing.

Health and social care professionals should offer individuals opportunities to take part in care planning conversations, which means talking about what matters most to them when making plans with them.

26.2 Personalised Care and Support Planning

Personalised care and support planning is a systematic process based around ‘better conversations’ between the person and their health and social care practitioners. The overall aim is to identify what is more important to each person for them to achieve a good life and ensure that the support they receive is designed and coordinated around their desired outcomes.

The Scottish Social Services Council have developed a range of free resources to improve workers’ understanding of a person outcomes approach and share examples of practice on the Personal Outcomes Network website. The resources have been co- designed with a range of partners, including carers, this eBook focuses on personal outcomes and enabling conversations.