Health Department
Community Care Division

Dear Colleague

FRAMEWORK FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN SCOTLAND:

(A) PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS

(B) EATING DISORDERS

Summary

1. Attached to this letter are expanded additions to the Service Elements sections of the Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland. Their purpose is to assist commissioners, planners, service partners and staff to identify the best local approaches to joint care and support (a) for those in the community with mental health conditions and (b) for the best organisation of services for those with an eating disorder.

Background

Psychological Interventions

2. Psychological interventions can provide an important contribution to the treatment of mental health needs in the community. Interventions are based around "talking treatments" which can involve one to one, group or counselling approaches and encourage self help as part of the treatment and support options. Annex A expands on the existing guidance within the published Framework.

Eating Disorders

3. Eating disorders can affect anyone at any age and may be associated with other mental health and medical problems. Needs can be complex and Annex B offers a service profile/specification for the organisation of co-ordinated services and support for those with, surviving or developing an eating disorder.

9th October 2001

______________________________

Addresses

For action
Chief Executives, NHS Boards
Chief Executives, NHS Trusts
State Hospitals Board for Scotland Directors of Social Work/Chief Social Work Officers

For information
Chief Executives, Local Authorities
Chief Executive, COSLA
General Manager, Common Services
Agency
Executive Director, SCPMDE
Chief Executive, Health Education
Board for Scotland
Chief Executive, Scottish Health Advisory Service
Secretary, Mental Welfare
Commission for Scotland
Chief Executive, Clinical Standards
Board for Scotland
Director, Scottish Development
Centre for Mental Health
Members of Partnership Forum
Appropriate voluntary/professional organisations

______________________________

Enquiries to:

Community Care Division

Phil Harley
Room GE 01
St Andrew's House
EDINBURGH EH1 3DG

Tel: 0131-244 2426
Fax: 0131-244 2970
E Mail: phil.harley@
scotland.gsi.gov.uk

4. The templates at Annexes A and B follow the commitment in Our National Health that support be given to the further development of extended mental health services particularly addressing the mental health needs of those in the community.

Action

5. Agencies are invited to incorporate proposals for local application and delivery of the service and support configurations and approaches within their planning processes. Agencies may see merit in organising and hosting local/regional events on the planning, priority and other issues raised and in doing so may wish to engage the members of the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group and others who helped in the consideration of the templates. Details are provided on the Support Group web site (see paragraph 7 below).

6. HDL(2001)69 set out the planned focus for the 2001/02 visits of the Support Group. Included in that focus will be attention on the local strategic approaches to both psychological intervention provision and eating disorders services.

7. This HDL is also available at (www.show.scot.nhs.uk) and on the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group site, (www.show.scot.nhs.uk/mhwbsg/).

Yours sincerely

GODFREY ROBSON
Director of Policy

Annex A : services offering psychological intervention (PDF file, 47 KB)

Annex B : eating disorders (PDF file, 69 KB)