The Wider Context

How the Alliance fits in with wider mental health provision across Devon

Painting the complete picture

The Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA) is just one part of a larger change in mental health service provision across Devon.

In 2019 the NHS published the Long Term Plan, which introduced additional funding and new standards for healthcare across the UK. A key part of this programme is the planned introduction of a new Integrated Care System (ICS) for every local area across the country. Here in Devon, we received approval from NHS England to form our own ICS, the Integrated Care System for Devon (ICSD), as part of the first wave in 2021.

 
 

The ICSD is a partnership of health and social care organisations working together with local communities across Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay to improve people's health, wellbeing, and care. The ICSD reflects the commitments made in the NHS Long Term Plan to work together to bring change for communities. NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups, local authorities, GPs and primary care colleagues, and voluntary and independent sector partners can only provide the type of care that people really need by working together.

One of the key areas of work is the Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF), a national programme aimed at improving community support and services for people with serious mental health problems. Delivery of the CMHF in Devon is led by the two statutory providers of community health services in the county – the Devon Partnership NHS Trust (DPT) and Livewell Southwest. They are working closely alongside the 31 primary care networks (PCNs), local authorities, and other key organisations and partners such as housing organisations and social care providers.

 
 

As well as delivering statutory services, DPT and Livewell have also commissioned the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) portion of the CMHF. After extensive engagement, the DMHA was formed in equal partnership to deliver this work, founded by the six member organisations during 2021 prior to its 2022 launch. The Alliance complements and works alongside Devon's existing strong VCSE organisations.