Classification: Official
Publication reference: PRN01456

To:

• NHS mental health trust and foundation trust medical directors

cc.

• regional mental health leads
• integrated care board mental health leads

Dear colleague,

Guidance on intensive and assertive community mental health treatment

Attached is the most recent guidance on intensive and assertive community mental health treatment designed to support integrated care boards (ICBs) to review their provision in this area.  

Systems will have already commenced their local reviews to ensure that they have clear policies and services in place for patients with severe mental illness, as required in the 2024/25 priorities and operational planning guidance.  

These reviews should be used as an opportunity to reflect on the community provision in place for people with severe and relapsing mental illness, and in particular the specific actions services need to take to ensure people are receiving and engaging in the care they need. Safety is a pivotal consideration. It is vital that DNAs (did not attends) are never used as a reason for discharge from care for this vulnerable patient group. All ICBs are asked to rapidly check that existing service polices and practice are clear on this issue and confirm this to NHS England regional mental health team.

Reviews should be led by ICBs, but as described in chapter 5 of the guidance (‘how to undertake local reviews’), and seek a range of input from colleagues across services and other partners. Direct engagement with patients who have lived experience of using these services should also be involved to ensure that learning is as open and honest as possible and can inform improvements to local services.

Reviews will not only provide assurance to ICBs that they are well equipped to meet the needs of individuals with complex mental health needs but will also help to inform national policy priorities. To support consistency in the approach being taken to reviews, I have attached a template for ICBs to complete, with the hope that this provides a useful basis for the development of local reviews.

I have asked regional colleagues to gather responses from local reviews by no later than Monday 30 September 2024.

Thank you for your continued focus, support and effort in this important area.

Yours sincerely,

Claire Murdoch, National Director for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism, NHS England
Dr Adrian James, Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, NHS England