A new system for improving access to psychological therapies has gone live across Kingston Primary Care Trust, supported by software from IMS Maxims.
The system is a response to the government’s commitment to the improving access to psychological therapies programme.
Once referred, individuals are contacted by one of Turning Point’s wellbeing co-ordinators. They carry out a phone-based assessment and make sure appropriate support is provided.
Turning Point is working in partnership with St George’s and South West London Mental Health Trust, which provides intensive psychological therapy and supervision and Kingston Borough Council, which provides specialist support with employment and work-related needs.
But the system works because of the Maxims Mental Health Assessment Module, which has been branded Rightsteps. It can be access from any computer that meets security and other standards and it records the entire patient journey from referral to discharge on a single, electronic patient record.
The Rightsteps assessment and care management tool allows the wellbeing co-ordinators to do their jobs of undertaking assessments based on risk and need, rather than diagnosis.
Sue Harris, Turning Point’s assistant direct of strategic development, said: “This computer tool is the thread that keeps the new service together. It allows our wellbeing co-ordinators to stay with an individual right the way through their journey, ensuring that the right type of support is given at the right time, as quickly as possible.”
The tool also allows users to capture important information from clinicians, counsellors and social care workers and to place patients on work-lists, to improve work-flows. Maxims and Turning Point will report on clinical outcomes and provide summary assessment documents to be sent back to the referring GP.