PARTNERS3

Aim

To enhance the pilot phase of the NHSE Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF) transformation programme by applying knowledge gained from PARTNERS2 (a research study developing a collaborative care model for people with severe mental health needs); and gain evidence regarding the core components required to inform policy specification for the successful delivery of place-based mental health care by bringing together the voluntary sector, primary care, and specialist mental health services.

Objectives

1. To apply learning from core components of the PARTNERS intervention – supervision, training in coaching approaches, and integration of care – within two systems which are part of the CMHF transformation process.
2. To evaluate and refine theory for how practice, training and supervision support personalisation and integration of care.
3. To develop policy and practice guidance for supervision, personalisation and integration of care for individuals with significant mental health problems.

Background

The PARTNERS model of care was co-designed with service users and carers to address the physical, social, and emotional needs of people with severe mental illness (SMI) to receive better support in primary care. The person-centred goal- and coaching-based approach involves Care Partners working with individuals with SMI, with the intensity of support flexing according to need. The CMHF transformation programme in England aims to address the gaps in care, including for those with SMI, through bringing together primary care, the voluntary sector, and specialist mental health services. Taking learning from our randomised controlled trial and the process evaluation of the PARTNERS complex intervention we wanted to test out supporting delivery of PARTNERS in the context of a transforming system.

Methods

We identified potential Integrated Care Systems that were interested in adopting PARTNERS and supported them to identify Care Partners. We held a series of workshops with two systems, adapted the PARTNERS model to their settings, trained practitioners, and provided meta-supervision. Concurrently, we undertook a realist evaluation with the systems to explore further uncertainties in the PARTNERS programme theory, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with System Change Leads, supervisors, and trained intervention practitioners or ‘Care Partners’, augmented by observations within localities and across different practitioner roles and experience, as well as the collection of practitioner-generated data. The study duration was 12 months.

Research questions

1. How can supervision, alongside personalisation and coaching approaches, be integrated into practice in the context of a community mental health transformation programme?
2. What enables implementation of the PARTNERS2 intervention and what are the lessons for policy?

Collaborators

Ms Debra Richards – University of Plymouth
Ms Caroline Quinn – University of Plymouth
Dr Julia Frost – University of Exeter
John Gibson – University of Plymouth
Dr Vanessa Pinfold – University of Plymouth
Dr Jo Day – University of Exeter
Dr Alex Stirzaker
Dr Subodh Dave