What did we do?
We developed a new model of working to improve the physical health of people with severe and enduring mental illness (SMI).

Why was it important?
Compared to the general population, people with SMI have much poorer physical health, a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and a significantly reduced life expectancy. However, many of the physical health issues experienced by this group (e.g. cardiovascular diseases or diabetes) are either preventable or controllable via effective chronic disease management. It is also possible to address many lifestyle issues by ensuring timely and patient-centred access to health promotion services (e.g. smoking cessation and physical activity schemes)

How did we do it?
The new model involved a number of different facets, the most notable being the introduction of a Community Physical Health Coordinator (CPHC) within Community Mental Health Area Teams (CMHATs). The CPHC’s role is to coordinate the physical health management of people under the care of the CMHAT. They do this with GPs via multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings.

Who did we work with?
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust (MMHSCT)

 

Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC)

 

Downloadable resources

 

• Evaluation Reports

  MMHSCT Evaluation Report (pdf)

   

  Community Physical Health Co-ordinator and MDT Guidance Document (pdf)

   

  Improving the physical health care of people with serious mental illness: Programme Report (pdf)

• Blogspot

  A universally accepted need to improve the physical health of people with mental illness - Michael Spence (August 2016)

• Publications

  Hunt C, Spence M & McBride A., (2016), The role of boundary spanners in delivering collaborative care: a process evaluation, BMC Family Practice (17:96)

• Presentations

  Improving physical health for people with severe mental illness - Astrid Born

   

  Improving the physical health care of people with severe and enduring mental illness - Dr Nick Riches

   

  Improving Physical Health for People with Severe and Enduring Mental Illness: Developing Integrated Care Pathways to Support Physical and Mental Wellbeing - Michael Spence

   

  Developing integrated care pathways to support mental and physical wellbeing - Liz King

   

  Improving physical health – Developing integrated care pathways to suppose mental and physical wellbeing - Sean Lennon

• Posters

  Improving care in complex systems – collaborative care for people with severe and enduring mental illness (SMI) - Michael Spence

   

  Addressing the physical health care of people with severe and enduring mental illness - Astrid Born

   

  Improving the physical care of people with severe and enduring mental illness - Michael Spence

More information
For further information please contact Michael Spence (Programme Manager).