Following the most testing period for healthcare in recent history, this year’s awards recognise the essential role of private and third sector organisations in strengthening the healthcare system. Being shortlisted for a Partnership Award will ensure this project, which brings private, health and social care organisations together, is nationally recognised, learned from and upscaled.
The judging panel comprised a diverse range of highly regarded figures across the NHS and wider healthcare sector. To be shortlisted as a finalist for these awards is a mark of real achievement for S12 Solutions and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs & Hampshire & Isle of Wight STP. Finalists were selected based on their diligence, ambition, and the positive impact created for practitioners and patients.
The project
A Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA) assessment is used to decide the course of action for people with serious mental health needs, who may be putting their own or others’ safety at risk. MHA assessments are organised by an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and attended by the AMHP and two doctors; at least one doctor should be s.12 approved.
The manual administrative processes used to organise MHA assessments were impacting patient care and staff morale in Hampshire and Southampton. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs decided to implement S12 Solutions, for a 12-month period, to assess the platform’s ability to make MHA assessment processes quicker, simpler and more secure.
S12 Solutions is an app and website, developed by an AMHP, which connects AMHPs with local, available s.12 doctors and facilitates the submission of electronic claim forms. Prompted by regulation amendments in response to Covid-19, S12 Solutions has also introduced electronic stat MHA form and video calling features.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs engaged Wessex AHSN to independently evaluate S12 Solutions’ impact. Key findings published in Wessex AHSN’s evaluation include 97% of AMHP respondents agreeing that S12 Solutions had introduced them to a larger network of doctors, improving their ability to organise assessments that were the best-fit for the patient, and 93% of doctor respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that they only receive MHA assessment requests at times they had stated they were available. Data also demonstrated a positive impact on doctors’ willingness to engage with s.12 work. Improved governance was a further benefit, particularly around the claim form process and the platform’s s.12 approval check via a link with the Department of Health and Social Care’s Mental Health Act Register Database. Claim processors reported a reduction in mileage claims and a saving of 3.5 hours admin time per 50 claims processed.
Based on the broad benefits captured, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs is in the process of recommissioning S12 Solutions.
Sonya Mclean, Senior Commissioning Manager for Mental Health Crisis Care, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups.
“This project has shown true integration and collaboration across multiple partners throughout our Integrated Care System. Not only has it proven to be successful for our workforce, but it has also proven to be a positive digital innovation for our patients by improving their experience and reducing delays that these assessments can cause.”
Amy Manning, AMHP and Founder, S12 Solutions
“The team and I are delighted to have been shortlisted for ‘Best Mental Health Partnership with the NHS’ alongside Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs. It’s a real honour to be finalists alongside so many other incredible nominees.
This partnership has been such an enjoyable and valuable learning experience for us; Southampton and Hampshire have helped shape the platform as it is now and continue to guide future development. We were thrilled to see that this partnership has had such a positive impact on mental health professionals and patients, with thanks to Wessex AHSN too for such a robust evaluation process.”
HSJ editor Alastair McLellan comments: “We would like to congratulate S12 Solutions and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of CCGs on being nominated in the category of Best Mental Health Partnership with the NHS ahead of HSJ Partnership Awards 2021. We are looking forward to welcoming them to the ceremony in June, to join us in recognising the very best collaborations and innovations in the healthcare sector. This year’s finalists are of an outstanding calibre and all of them are exceptionally dedicated to enhancing healthcare across the UK.”
The winners will be selected following a rigorous, judging stage ahead of the HSJ Partnership Awards 2021 awards ceremony. The awards evening is expected to be attended by leaders and professionals from both the NHS and private sector as well as figures from non-clinical backgrounds to celebrate innovation and collaboration in healthcare.
The full list of finalists for the 2021 HSJ Partnership awards can be found on https://partnership.hsj.co.uk/finalists-2021
