EBE Quality Assurance Framework and Background

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The Experts by Experience Quality Assurance Framework

Background

The Experts by Experience (EBE) Panel is a new initiative responsible for designing and developing a Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) for all providers of mental health services. The QAF will be the means to check that the provision of mental health services is involving service users and their carers in the planning and delivery of those services.

The EBE Panel is part of a new structure to support delivery of the strategic priorities set out in the 5 year joint health and social care commissioning strategy for mental health and well being.

Aims

The EBE Panel is a team of ‘experts’ who have experience of mental health services. The Panel’s aim is to set standards for services in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly to help improve service user and carer involvement in organisational processes. The QAF, developed by the EBE Panel, will contribute to the achievement of the Healthcare Standards and will be assessed as a ‘developmental’ element thereof.

The Panel will engage with all commissioned mental health service providers, service managers and other relevant organisations. The Panel will also report to the Joint Commissioning Board and Commissioners, feeding back issues in the development of service user and carer engagement. The Panel will also discuss any service issues relating to gaps or deficiencies.

The EBE Panel will also help to steer the strategic direction of mental health services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Guiding values and principles

People with mental health problems can expect services commissioned by the Primary Care Trust to involve service users and carers in planning and delivery of organisational processes to:

  • deliver high quality treatment and care which is known to be effective and acceptable
  • be well suited to those who use them and non-discriminatory
  • be accessible, inviting and have excellent signposting methods in place so that help can be obtained when and where it is needed
  • promote their safety and that of their carers, staff and the wider public
  • offer choices which promotes independence
  • be well co-ordinated between all staff and agencies
  • deliver continuity of care for as long as this is needed
  • empower and support their staff, service users and carers
  • be properly accountable to the public, service users and carers

‘Raising the Standard’ is a set of seven standards currently identified by the EBE Panel as being significant to service user and carer involvement in organisational processes..

Standard one:      Statement acknowledging service user and carer involvement in service planning and delivery.

How are service users and carers involved in the planning and delivery of:

Standard two:       Campaigns

Standard three:    Service policies

Standard four:      Business development

Standard five:       Satisfaction surveys

Standard six:        Ongoing concerns which requires proactive support from senior

management for developing initiatives

Standard seven:  Service user and Carer Lead

Please find enclosed a ‘Pack’ and set of guidelines to assist you with this process and on behalf of the EBE Panel and myself, we look forward to meeting with you soon.

EBE Panel Members:
Vicky Bartlett
Rob Gough
Irene Hardie
Alan Ibbotson
Jenny Perrin
Peter Seddon
Maggie West
Rose Wicket
Dawn Harris - EBE Adult (Mental Health) Project Co-ordinator