Crisis Line Open Forum

November 23, 2016 at 4:34 pm

Get your voice heard at our next crisis line open forum!

At 6pm on Wednesday 14th December, the next crisis line open forum will take place at the Station, Silver Street, Bristol.

This is a follow up to our first very successful open meeting that took place on October 26th at the same location. It was unanimously agreed to hold a further meeting. This included continuing to work collaboratively with Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG to improve information on how local citizens can access mental health services in the area and ensure those in crisis are able to access the services they need to in a timely way.

You are able to book your free ticket to attend by clicking through to our Eventbrite page.

The notes from the October meeting are now available to review: crisis-line-open-meeting-26-10-16-notes-v2

They include several recommendations that have been shared with service providers and commissioners to steer potential improvements. These have been welcomed at a recent meeting of the project board, and are now being explored in more detail.

These meetings have been organised in response to concerns raised about proposed changes to the crisis line. In response to our petition, which over 4,500 people have signed, we have been continuing to meet regularly with both Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG to ensure concerns raised are heard.

Any proposed changes to the number that had been discussed will be postponed until after the Christmas period. As part of their update, Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG said:

“In the meantime, the crisis line will continue to operate in its current form. This includes over the Christmas period and into the new year. Initial proposals were to make changes from the end of November, however the timescales have been extended to allow for this valuable coproduction work to be completed.”

We look forward to seeing you at the open forum on the 14th, and do remember to book your ticket on our Eventbrite page.

If you have any queries in the meantime, then please email:

 

Latest update on crisis line work from Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG:

 

“Work to redevelop Bristol Mental Health’s (BMH) crisis line is continuing, to ensure people in mental health crisis get the support they need faster.

Through a specific project board, BMH and NHS Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working collaboratively with service users and carers, elected officers from Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN) and staff to identify solutions. Changes will only be made when we have alternative provisions and plans in place to inform and support service users.

In the meantime, the crisis line will continue to operate in its current form. This includes over the Christmas period and into the new year. Initial proposals were to make changes from the end of November, however the timescales have been extended to allow for this valuable coproduction work to be completed.

For example, the board is exploring ways to improve information about BMH’s mental health services and to make them more accessible, such as through the website and in printed material. In addition, we are working with regular callers to the line to ensure they have alternative support.

Currently the crisis line is being used for much more than its intended purpose, which is to offer specialist intervention to people in mental health crisis. More than two thirds (66%) of callers to the crisis line are seeking advice, general information or to check appointments. This is making it harder for those in mental health crisis, as well as professionals supporting those in mental health crisis, to get through.

The project board is therefore looking at ways in which those with more general or administrative enquiries can receive timely answers to their questions, whilst those in urgent, mental health crisis can be fast-tracked for immediate support.

For more information or to offer feedback and ideas, please email 

 

 

 

November 23, 2016 at 4:34 pm | News | No comment