A service promotion for a Mental Health Primary Care Service, “Care When It Counts"
Abstract
Executive Summary
This project was created in partnership with the ‘’Care When It Counts’’ (CWIC) mental
health primary care service, based in East Lothian. CWIC was developed through the
need to work in partnership with general practices, to meet same day patient demands.
The Scottish Government has produced a number of policies for achieving sustainable
quality in the delivery of health care services (Scottish Government 2020). This is a new
approach to primary care delivery which provides an accessible mental health pathway,
ensuring the local population receives high quality of care from the right professional at
the right time, to support their mental health and well-being (East Lothian Council 2021).
As this is a relatively new service, the project ideas were identified from the service itself
to promote self-referrals and encourage a cultural shift away from people’s expectations to
visit a GP. Occupational therapists are based within this GP practice as they have unique
skillsets in promoting self-management and establishing meaningful routines that enhance
quality of life (Royal College of Occupational Therapist 2021).
Through collaboration with the project partner, it was identified that a poster is the most
effective way to promote the service on a long-term basis. A questionnaire and exploration
of literature was carried out to support the production of the poster. The scoping process
using a questionnaire achieved its goal in establishing the views of service providers on
the key content necessary to be included in the poster, for the purpose of a successful
service promotion. Services are encouraged to use the opinions of all relevant
stakeholders as they are the agents through which those services are delivered (NHS
2021).
The exploration of literature evidenced the essential link between occupational therapy
services in primary care for a variety of populations, which coincides with the existing
need for this project. Additionally, the literature was explored which identified the core
elements of poster design which were implemented into the poster.
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An evaluation was carried out to explore the views from the same population of service
providers, on the first draft of poster, and to identify any necessary changes. The findings
supported in the production of the final poster draft. The objectives of this project have
been successfully achieved with the intended outcome of this project being to produce a
poster to promote CWIC. However, there is scope for further projects such as evaluating
service user’s perspectives on how they have discovered the service and its benefits.