Adult secondary mental health services: consultation analysis

Glossary

Accessible: information which is accessible should be available in easy read formats, different languages and adjusted to meet different communication needs.

Advocacy: makes sure that people know and better understand their rights, their situation, and systems. Independent advocates help people to speak up for themselves and speak for those who need it. An independent advocate is someone who helps build confidence and empowers people to assert themselves and express their needs, wishes and desires. Collective advocacy happens when groups of people with a shared agenda, identity or experience come together to influence legislation, policy, or services.

Carer: someone of any age who looks after or supports a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour in need of help because they are ill, frail, have a disability or are vulnerable in some way. A carer does not have to live with the person being cared for and can be unpaid.

Community: this is care and support which can be accessed without the need to be admitted to an in-patient hospital ward.

Human rights: human rights are based on the principle of respect for the individual and they are the rights and freedoms that belong to every person, at every age. They are set out in international human rights treaties and are enshrined in UK law by the Human Rights Act 1998.

In-patient care: mental health care and support which is delivered in a hospital ward.

Integrated Joint Boards and Health Boards: these organisations are responsible for the planning and delivery of a range of health services, including adult secondary mental health services.

Membership body: is any organisation that allows people or entities to subscribe.

Needs: includes physical, social and psychological and neurodivergent needs.

Primary care: provides the first point of contact in the healthcare system, acting as the ‘front door’ of the NHS. Primary care includes general practice, community pharmacy, dental, and optometry (eye health) services.

Private sector: refers to businesses that have no affiliation to the government and that are privately owned make up the remainder of organisation respondents.

Professional body: is an organisation with individual members practicing a profession or occupation in which the organisation maintains an oversight of the knowledge, skills, conduct and practice of that profession or occupation.

Psychological interventions: is the term used for the application of psychological techniques that help people to improve their health by helping them understand their strengths and difficulties, make changes to their thinking, behaviour, and relationships to reduce distress, treat mental health difficulties, and improve wellbeing (e.g., a neuropsychological assessment following brain injury which helps guide a treatment plan).

Public sector: these organisations are responsible for providing public services including education, healthcare, and housing, and typically have a direct relationship with the Scottish Government or Scottish Parliament (such as local authorities and NHS Boards).

Secondary care: includes planned or elective care - usually in a hospital; urgent and emergency care, including 999 and 111 services, ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and out-of-hours GP services; and mental health care.

Services: Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) and Adult Mental Health In-patient Wards. Health Boards and Integrated Joint Boards are responsible for the delivery of these services.

Tertiary care: is highly specialist treatment, such as: neurosurgery, transplants, plastic surgery, and secure forensic mental health services.

Third sector: this includes voluntary and community organisations (for example, registered charities and other organisations such as associations, self-help groups and community groups, social enterprises).

Trauma-informed practice: is a model that is grounded in and directed by a complete understanding of how trauma exposure affects people's neurological, biological, psychological, and social development. It involves understanding the prevalence and impacts of trauma, recognising when someone may be affected, and responding in ways that does no harm and supports recovery and resilience. Five key principles underlie trauma-informed practice these are: safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. Further information and training support for trauma-informed practice is available via the National Trauma Training Programme website.

Titration services: is a plan to introduce and increase medication to a safe therapeutic dose. This will sometimes be done gradually whilst clinicians provide monitoring.