The roll-out of the “fundamental redesign” of mental health services in Tayside will likely be delayed because of coronavirus.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said NHS Tayside had been instructed by the Scottish Government to continue the”much needed” implementation of the Strang Review as part of efforts being made by health boards to keep “business as normal”.
But staff absences as a result of coronavirus mean a “slowing of the pace” in how quickly the changes are made is likely, she added.
Published in February, the independent inquiry into the health board’s mental health services by Dr David Strang heavily criticised the strategies and structure of care, calling for a “fundamental redesign”.
Dr Strang unveiled a culture of “mistrust” in Tayside’s mental health services, adding there was “a breakdown in trust in Tayside, between organisations, partners, staff, patients, families, carers and communities” and “a real danger of a perception that NHS Tayside is more interested in protecting its reputation than looking after the interests of its patients.”
A former prison inspector and chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police, Dr Strang launched the inquiry in September 2018 following campaigning by bereaved families.
Ms Freeman addressed concerns regarding the roll-out of recommendations during the Scottish Government’s briefing to the press on Tuesday.
She noted staff absence in the NHS was currently at 4.6% because of the pandemic, which could impact the speed in which the recommendations can be implemented.
“When we outlined our hospital and board mobilisation plans we said there was some business as usual which absolutely had to continue,” she said. “This was urgent care, accident and emergency care and maternity.
“But we also had some specific conversations with individual boards about other areas of their work we did not want them to pause or put to one side, as they address the particular challenge of Covid-19.
“In Tayside’s case, that work was the implementation of the Strang Reviews. Work continues, there may be some impact to it of course because of staff absence.
“Because of Covid-19 we know absence rates are running at about 4.6% for our staff at the moment, so there may be some slowing of the pace we would want to see in implementing the Strang recommendations but there is absolutely no pause on implementing those in Tayside.”
Campaigner’s response
Gillian Murray, a campaigner who spearheaded calls for an independent review into mental health provision in Tayside following the treatment and death of her late uncle David Ramsay.
She told The Courier she was pleased the virus would not prevent the much-needed changes being made.
She said: “It’s really good that they are pressing ahead with the much needed changes.
“A robust mental health service will be needed more than ever following the pandemic.
“Given the current situation we find ourselves in, I think we need to be understanding of any delays (in moderation). As always, communication and transparency will be needed.”
NHS assisting with staff shortages
Dr John Mitchell, consultant psychiatrist and advisor to the Scottish Government, said shortages in staffing in mental health sevices in Tayside were being monitored as the pandemic unfolded.
He said: “We are in very regular conversation with all the health boards. I had a telephone meeting with Kate Bell and the medical director this week. We were reviewing how they are managing the transformation of services they are having to do.
“Services across Scotland are having to prioritise how they manage cases and caseloads and we are actively supporting that, not just in terms of advice and encouraging collaboration between boards, but also specifically in terms of Tayside, in assisting them with additional staff, help, leadership.
“The psychologists do provide a very important service, psychological responses (sic) and those are continuing.
“There has to be priority given and we have to allow services be able to do that and make decisions based on clinical need.”
NHS Tayside was approached for comment.
