Developing and delivering a health psychology service across health and social care

Abstract

Background: A Local Authority and NHS partnership in North Lanarkshire developed a Health Psychology Service to facilitate a shift in the balance of care from acute institutional to primary and community settings. Objectives were to develop and evaluate a health psychology service to improve the lives of older adults. Methods: Needs assessment revealed a gap in psychological knowledge and skills of staff supporting older adults in the community. Training and support were delivered to the workforce to facilitate behaviour change. A consultancy service supported change on the ground by enabling health psychologists to contribute to thorough biopsychosocial assessment, develop formulation led intervention plans and help coordinate the plan with staff. Evaluation included process measures, focus groups and questionnaires. Findings: Over 1000 health and social care staff completed questionnaires. To date 280 cases have been discussed in consultancy. Formal feedback has been positive. Cost effectiveness has been demonstrated in terms of hospital bed days saved, reducing care home admissions, facilitating timely discharge from hospital and preventing unnecessary hospital admission. The project won a national award in November 2014 for innovation in integrated working. Discussion: Integration of Health and Social Care in Scotland provides opportunity to influence wider social determinants of health and well-being to the benefit of the older adult population, staff and services. Training frontline health and social care practitioners to deliver psychologically informed care and support has great potential and opportunity to strategically develop Health Psychology as a unique discipline within areas where it can have optimal impact.