Innovative guide launched to help NHS staff working in mental health services

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has introduced an innovative guide that will help staff continue to deliver high quality, personalised, needs-based care to people who use mental health services.

The Trust provides NHS mental health services to people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. The Trust also provides some specialist services to the whole of Yorkshire and the Humber.

The Clinical Delivery System Template (CDST) 2011 is a guide that staff working in teams across the Trust’s adult and older people’s mental health services will use to summarise individual’s care needs and develop packages of support to meet them. It does not set out a strict process to be followed, it establishes a template for clinical interventions that will be person-centred and tailored to individual’s needs and outcomes.

It is made up of various elements that staff can utilise including examples of care to meet particular needs, suggested intervention activities, outcomes expected and resources required.

The CDST 2011 has been developed by the Trust’s InPAC team and Trust clinicians. The content and format reflects the current evidence base and best practice guidelines. It will be revised from 2012 to ensure it continues to remain up to date.

Dr Christina Walters from the Trust’s InPAC team said, "The CDST 2011 will improve how our clinicians support people as it provides much more guidance around individual care to meet a person’s needs which is focused on their wellbeing and recovery outcomes. This is the first time a tool as comprehensive as this has been developed, which builds on national guidance, and provides examples and templates of care.

For more information about the CDST 2011 contact the Trust’s InPAC team on 01924 327430 or visit www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/cdst