First contact mental health practitioners in GP surgeries provide quick access to support
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, the local provider of mental health support, has worked to to introduce and support the first contact mental health practitioners, which have been working into GP practices since 2021. Recent figures show, based on an average of 1,921 patients over a three-month period*, 92% of patients were supported directly. Only 5% needed to be seen by a GP and 3% required a referral to specialist secondary mental health services.
Who are first contact mental health practitioners?
First contact mental health practitioners are specialists in mental health and work directly into general practices ("the doctors"). They can provide quick assessments, offering one-to-one support. They also help people to access local services that can help their well-being.
How the roles came about
The practitioners have been introduced as part of a programme called Community Mental Health Transformation. It’s a key programme of work across the local NHS, which aims to change the way people are supported in their local communities.
One of the first steps in the programme was to improve early access to support and to reduce unnecessary referrals to secondary mental health services. This was to ensure people got the right support, first time. First contact mental health workers have played an integral role in this. 40 now work in a wide range of GP practices across North Yorkshire and York. There are plans for more by the end of 2024.
Transforming how people are supported
The Community Mental Health Transformation programme is making a big difference in North Yorkshire and York. Here’s how:
Early support: The programme aims to give people the right support early on, reducing the need for specialist services.
First Contact Practitioners: 40 mental health practitioners now work in GP surgeries, with more to come. They provide quick assessments and 1:1 support, helping people access local services.
Positive changes: Before this, many people were referred to specialist services and had to wait a long time. Now, most people get the help they need quickly in their communities.
Specialist help: These practitioners are mental health experts who work directly in GP surgeries. They offer quick assessments and help people find local services that can improve their wellbeing. Patients appreciate not having to repeat their stories and having time to discuss their needs.
Innovative training: The teams are always learning new ways to support people, including LGBTQ+ and bereavement training, becoming cancer champions, and participating in a ‘nature prescription’ trial.
Holistic approach: Practitioners work with other organisations to address broader needs like social, physical, and economic issues.
Benefits for GPs: This programme has reduced the number of mental health-related GP appointments, freeing up time for GPs to see more patients. It has also improved the overall knowledge of mental health among primary care staff, encouraging a more joined-up approach to support.
"Now only a small number of people need referring or even passing on to their GP. Most people are being supported in other ways in their local communities. This means they’re getting the help they need more quickly."
Helping the NHS and patients
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust oversees the first contact mental health practitioners in North Yorkshire and York. They said: "The practitioners have been a fantastic addition. They’re so passionate about helping local people and we’ve received great feedback from patients and colleagues. People have commented on the benefits of not having to retell their story. Instead, they have time to explore their needs during their appointment.
"The team’s finding innovative new ways to expand their knowledge so that they can support people further. They’ve undertaken LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual) training and bereavement training, become cancer champions - raising awareness of cancer)."
Mowbray Square Primary Care Network, Harrogate has first contact mental health practitioners working with her team. They said: "The new roles are a real asset. By having the practitioners in the practice, patients with mental health issues are getting to see the most appropriate clinician in a timely way and offered the support that’s right for them."
