MENTAL HEALTH
and stakeholders (such as regulators) come together to work as equal members.
“If Experts by Experience are taken
seriously by organisations, we can help shatter the age-old perception of ‘us and them’ when it comes to service users and professionals.”
Together, we coproduce better policies and procedures. We speak freely and frankly to challenge the organisation to improve and offer innovative suggestions. We review complaints and develop solutions. And we have real influence: The People’s Councils are a formal part of Cygnet’s governance structure and reports directly to the Executive Management Board.
We do this because taking a multifaceted approach to improving our services can result in much richer outcomes. Looking at quantitative data, such as data from surveys, is of course crucial. But all too oſten within mental healthcare,
there aren’t the right structures to capture unfiltered qualitative feedback from service users and the people who treat them. And it makes intuitive sense: people are much more likely to be satisfied with their services when they have been involved in their production.
Life changes in so many ways as a mental health in-patient. While social attitudes are getting better, there is still a great deal of stigma attached to mental illnesses – especially for people detained under the Mental Health Act. If Experts by Experience are taken seriously by organisations, and not merely seen as tokens, we can help shatter the age-old perception of ‘us and them’ when it comes to service users and professionals – to create a truly collaborative environment.
Progress has certainly been made on this front. A number of organisations, including the CQC, NHS England and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have developed roles such as ‘Peer Support Workers’ and ‘Patient Representatives’. These may be different titles – but they have the same core goals of communication and co-production, based upon common- sense foundations. We must give them our continued support.
www.cygnethealth.co.uk
The Work of Cygnet
Established in 1988, Cygnet Health Care offers a wide range of services for individuals with mental health needs within the UK. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for delivering pioneering services and outstanding outcomes for the people in its care.
Cygnet’s expert and dedicated care enables 2,200 individuals across 108 services to consistently make a positive difference to their lives, through service-user focused care and rehabilitation.
twitter.com/TomorrowsCare
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