Future of Mental Health in Harrow
The way community mental health services in Harrow are delivered is changing.
For the last 15 years social care staff and support functions within the community mental health teams were managed by CNWL NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL). From 1st July 2023, this will change. Mental health social care staff will become part of Harrow Council's Adult Social Care Department.
The Trust and Social services are working closely together. They will ensure that both staff and the mental health services users are supported through this change. Attention is being given to how health and social care services will be delivered.
We want to ensure that the service transfers seamlessly, for both Harrow residents and the staff that deliver these, between the partner organisations.
Why is this change happening?
Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006 allowed health services to take on social care functions that were traditionally held by local authorities. This will create better integration of public services.
A partnership arrangement between CNWL and Harrow Council developed. It enabled social workers working with people with mental ill-health in Harrow, to be employed and line managed by the Trust but funded from Harrow Council.
The recent introduction of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) as the model for local health, social care, and voluntary sector organisations to cooperate in a local area, required an update to these partner arrangements.
The planned changes are to enable each organisation to expand their own specific area of expertise and begin to build greater collaboration between every organisation within the local area.
The Trust and Adult Social Care will continue to work collaboratively to ensure a holistic response to the mental health and wellbeing needs of residents.
Timeline for change
April 17th
The transition to new health and social care arrangements will commence from this date, with social care staff beginning to start working within the council environment.
July 1st
The period of shared learning will end, and the transfer of service management of adult mental health social care will be complete.
Looking to the future
CNWL and Harrow Council see this change as an opportunity to improve social care and the mental health support Harrow residents receive. To do this we will:
- Gather ideas from communities, patients, families, and carers in Harrow on how service delivery might need to change.
- Work closely with Mind in Harrow to shape future engagement with citizens and Carers
- Alert people to any planned co-production/service development events on this page when dates are finalised.
CNWL and Harrow Council have been and will continue to be close partners in delivery of mental health services. Our priority is ensuring an integrated service approach. As such each organisation focuses on their speciality and together deliver excellent mental health and wellbeing support for the residents of Harrow.
Opportunities to have your say
There are a series of planned engagement events with residents, service providers, and family carers over the next few months to participate in the future design of services.
As details become available, they will be advertised in this space:
Support for Carers– Have Your Say
Are you impacted by the mental health of a family member or friend?
We want your ideas to inform future service design
CNWL NHS Trust in collaboration with Harrow Adult Social Care are inviting you to share your thoughts based on your experience as a carer/friend/family member/support of someone experiencing mental health problems.
We want to know what support and information has been most helpful for you as carers and what changes you might like to see.
We are holding a focus group on Tuesday 28th March – 5pm to 6.30pm, at Bentley House ,15-21 Headstone Drive, Harrow HA3 5QX
If you are interested in attending this session please email Susan Bray (Interim Deputy Director, CNWL Harrow Mental Health services) Susanbray1@nhs.net as numbers will be restricted and we will only be able to admit those who have registered in advance.