Mental health tsar is impressed by our trust’s innovative Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge service
April 15, 2011
Dr Hugh Griffiths, the Government’s mental health tsar, praised Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust’s innovative Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge Service, during a visit on Friday, April 15.
The trust’s Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge Service, which has won a HSJ Award for mental health innovation, provides a round-the-clock service at City Hospital in Winson Green, via its busy A&E department and inpatient wards.
Dr Griffiths was taken on the patients’ journey from arriving in A&E to being assessed and treated by the Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge team, before being discharged.
During the tour, Dr Griffiths saw how our clinicians work in partnership with colleagues at City Hospital, which is run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Dr Griffiths, who is also a consultant psychiatrist for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge service is pioneering new approaches to mental health care and partnership working across the NHS. This ground-breaking service is clearly at the forefront of mental health innovation, improving patient experience while making significant savings.”