Implementing co-production in traditional statutory mental health services

Abstract

Since the publication of A Vision for Change (Department of Health and Children 2006), which sets out the direction for mental health services in Ireland, new approaches to interacting with people who have lived experience of mental ill health have emerged. Co-production is one such approach. Co-production is a word used to describe the creation of a dialogical space where the service user, family members, carers and service providers enter a collaborative medical partnership to improve their own care and also service provision. Co-production is a cornerstone in the delivery of a recovery-oriented service and when implemented correctly it has the power to achieve positive change. The aim of this article is to provide background information and guidance on how to implement co-production in traditional mental health services.

Co-Production within Child and Adolescent Mental Health: A Systematic Review

“…For instance, creating an environment that allows individuals to discuss and work through past traumas without dismissing them is vital to the co-productive work in CAMHS. This need for a suitable environment is in line with previous literature, such as Norton [18], who suggests the need for "a dialogical space" for true "collaboration" to occur [18]. Additional to this, the review identified six key principles that are fundamental to such collaborations.…”

“…Additional to this, the review identified six key principles that are fundamental to such collaborations. These principles support services in the redistribution of power so that both the user and provider are equal within the "dialogical space" [18,40].…”

“…Swords [17] adds to this, suggesting that the lack of a universally acceptable definition for co-production within the mental health context is explained by the infancy of co-production in mental health services; therefore, it is currently the subject of scrutiny, with a universal definition necessary in order to assess its validity within this specific context. However, as this paper observes and discusses co-production through a mental health context, Norton's [18] definition was chosen as most beneficial to use as it adequately defines the concept as it appears in mental health. Here, Norton [18] defines co-production as "the creation of a dialogical space where the service user, family members, carers and service providers enter a collaborative medical partnership to improve their own care and service provision".…”

“…However, as this paper observes and discusses co-production through a mental health context, Norton's [18] definition was chosen as most beneficial to use as it adequately defines the concept as it appears in mental health. Here, Norton [18] defines co-production as "the creation of a dialogical space where the service user, family members, carers and service providers enter a collaborative medical partnership to improve their own care and service provision".…”

Factors impacting the implementation of a psychoeducation intervention within the Mental Health System: a multisite study using the Consolidation Framework for Implementation Research

“…Despite the positive appraisal of the facilitator training, both clinical and peer facilitators noted challenges in developing genuinely equitable partnerships in practice, revealing that at times they slipped back into their traditional hierarchical roles of 'patient' and 'provider'. Given that the implementation of co-production is in its infancy in mental health services [63][64][65][66], this is not a surprising nding and highlights the importance of support during intervention implementation (in the form of informal mentoring or clinical supervision), as well as endorsement by service leaders and senior managers. In the context of coproduction, the availability of a streamlined and hassle-free payment system for peers is of critical importance.…”