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Beyond Tokenism: Creating Inclusive Mental Healthcare Services

Mood Disorders Centre Think Tank Seminar Series

Our guest speaker is Dr David Hunt from the University of Exeter


Event details

Abstract

Healthcare innovation and service delivery models are increasingly recognising the significance of co-design and co-production approaches that comprehensively involve all pertinent stakeholders, encompassing healthcare staff, patients, and their supporting families. Despite widespread advocacy for such inclusive methods by a multitude of organisations at various systemic levels, the integration of these approaches remains a challenge for many services.

This talk examines a project aimed at increasing co-production in care planning at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. It will present an adapted appreciative inquiry method used to co-design a treatment plan initially created for an Adult Mental Health Team and is now being rolled out across the Trust. The discussion will focus on two core themes: fostering meaningful engagement to ensure participation is substantive rather than symbolic, and the translation of this engagement into actionable change through an inclusive and robust approach.

Dr David Francis Hunt

Dr David Francis Hunt is an applied psychologist with a specialism as an embedded researcher in mental health services. His research centres on the fields of improvement and implementation science within mental healthcare, where his focus lies in fostering participatory methods and nurturing person-centred care. His contributions to mental health practices are expansive. Examples include helping to create CQC national guidance for the reduction of ligature risks and the optimisation of enhanced observation processes in mental health settings. His research has led to reduction in the use of seclusions in a forensic inpatient environment and enhanced support during mealtimes within a specialist eating disorder unit. Moreover, his innovative endeavours in integrating nature-based approaches into routine practice within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

Dr Hunt's expertise in evaluation is similarly extensive, encompassing a system-wide analysis of a personality disorder care pathway and the evaluation of the psychological integration model across the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. He also created the first iteration of the five-year evaluation plan for Health Data Research UK while at the Medical Research Council, a project underpinned by an amalgamation of ten funding bodies with an initial investment of more than £100M.

His presentation will delve into the heart of co-production in care planning, reflecting his passion for empowering those utilising mental health services to actively participate in their care planning and, more generally, their involvement in healthcare innovations.

Location:

The Sir Henry Wellcome Building for Mood Disorders Research, G17 (Hybrid)