Mental Health Schemes Set To Lead Way

Two projects on metal health devised by NHS Lothian have been chosen to help form the bones of a national campaign. The initiatives were among seven schemes from around the country chosen to help improve national policy.

The organisation’s “Rapid Response and Treatment Service”, which operates a 24-hour call-out system for patients in the Lothians was one of the projects selected. An NHS spokeswoman said: “It aims to significantly improve both the unplanned service arrangements and the out-of-hours assessment, treatment, care and support for people with mental health problems.”

The other successful pilot, the “stepped service care model’, offers a varying service to people with mild to moderate issues within communities and other health care outlets other than hospitals. Elements from both could now be introduced across Scotland.

Linda Irvine, project manager for NHS Lothian, said the projects involved would have an influential effect. She said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to participate. Each project will make a significant difference to the overall effectiveness of our delivery of mental health services.”