NHS Clinical Commissioners and the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care and Low Secure Units (NAPICU) have launched new guidance to support the commissioning of PICUs to improve patient experience and ensure that this group get the best care possible.
This new document seeks to empower and enable commissioners, managers and clinicians to jointly develop high quality PICUs. It provides summary guidance which will assist commissioners to meet the needs of their local population, and achieve the ambitions of the Five Year Forward View focusing on patient safety, clinical effectiveness and patient experience.
Dr Phil Moore, Chair of the NHSCC Mental Health Commissioners Network and Deputy Chair of Kingston CCG said: “This guidance, which looks at the evidence and best practice around psychiatric intensive care units, is intended to ensure they have appropriate services for one of the most vulnerable and at risk groups in society – those who have an acute mental health crisis. The patients who need it deserve the very best in PICU provision, and I strongly believe that following the recommendations set out here will be the most effective and efficient way for this care to be delivered. We are very pleased to have been able to work closely with NAPICU on the creation of the guidance.”
Dr Faisil Sethi, Vice Chair of the National Association of Psychiatric Intensive Care Units went on to say: “We are delighted to have worked in collaboration with the Mental Health Commissioners Network to develop this guidance. The challenges we face can be overcome through joint working between clinicians, managers and commissioners. PICU is a critical component of the acute inpatient care pathway, and this guidance champions the best of practice, with the primary aim of improving patient experience in PICUs.”
PICUs are a critical component of the acute inpatient care pathway. They provide intensive care and treatment for patients experiencing an acute mental disorder who require more rapid assessment and stabilisation through active engagement and treatment. You can find out more and see the guidance here: http://www.nhscc.org/latest-news/4716/