23 June - Mental health network webinar

This week’s webinar began with a discussion about the Messenger review, looking at the main messages, positive and missing aspects and a summary of GGI’s response. GGI’s managing director Usman Khan asked the group for their thoughts.

Overheard during the webinar:

“I think the Messenger review was demoralising for management. The report alleges there is good practice across the NHS but this is not made explicit. I believe the executive view will be that the report is insensitive, given the waves of post-pandemic pressures, and unconstructive. There is no mechanism shown for how to enhance management skills. I also don’t believe the large scale of the NHS has been fully taken into account.”

“The report provided a useful summary but I have some issues with the context in which it came out. I don’t think it will have the impact some might hope it will.”

“The recommendations in the report are uninspiring and obvious. I have some concerns about the current negative narrative about the NHS and I wonder how this is going to attract excellence – especially given that NHS training is mediocre.”

“EDI was not given the importance and gravity it deserves. I would also note that the training I received in the police was far more extensive than any received in the NHS. I feel that this was a missed opportunity to emphasise the need for investment in training.”

“Current concerns include a lack of additional funding to support the strategy, the reliance on other government departments to buy into the strategy, and the broadness of the consultation. […] There’s a visionary piece of work going on with the Centre for Mental Health around what mental health and LD services should look like in 10 years’ time; key findings from this piece of work will feed into the strategy, along

with highlighting existing good practice.”

“There’s a need to differentiate between building resilience to manage life’s ups and downs and very targeted,

evidence-based interventions for the prevention of specific problems. A lot of work is too vague regarding this, resulting in well-intentioned but ineffective interventions. Targeted evidence-based interventions to prevent specific adult problems are expensive and require an economic analysis. This differs to creating a community and culture of resilience, empowering the population.”

“We must ensure the consultation does not result in inaction. The influence of mental health in the department and NHSE has diminished and there is an opportunity to promote the ownership of mental health as a key priority for ICSs and new systems, along with a better understanding of mental health that covers more than just the services provided. Much of the work can only be done effectively in partnership with other agencies. I don’t expect additional resource and there’s a need to rethink ways of working, including working with education on early intervention.”

These meetings are by invitation only. For further details, visit our events page.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about these webinars, please contact: events@good-governance.org.uk