NHS Long Term Plan Engagement - Focusing on Mental Health in West Sussex
Improving the provision of support for the mental health of local people is a commitment within the NHS Long Term Plan, for children, young people and adults. We were asked to undertake focus groups to gather feedback from people.
Understanding what is needed in West Sussex will help to develop a local long term plan to achieve this commitment.
All the insight has been anonymised and this report will be used to inform the local plans for mental health services in Sussex. The local plans need to be submitted to NHS England in the Summer.
Objectives
We did not ask people to comment on the content of the plan but instead, asked them
to think about how mental health improvement could be implemented in Bognor Regis
and East Grinstead. We chose two contrasting parts of the county so we could
understand what the local differences are and what might be similar.
What people said about mental health support?
Summary of Findings: What matters most to people in West Sussex?
- Having safe areas in the community to help people to stay well and connected. These are safe because they provide non-judgmental relationships and an atmosphere of support and light-heartedness.
- Trusting that access to services (including General Practice), with trained/empathic professionals is available promptly when needed.
- Having information about support services at your finger-tips.
- Support to understand and manage medication is vital to peoples’ long-term wellness.
- Getting a diagnosis for some was, they felt, something that could help them to move forward with their lives (but was missing).
Downloads
LTP Plan Engagement Plan - Healthwatch West Sussex Mental Health Focused Report (June 2019)
