Our new joint report with @CentreforMH sets out nine principles for primary care mental health services. The first recommends flexibility when choosing the setting for delivery of mental health services. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/mental-health-primary-care-networks?utm_source=twitter&utm_term=thekingsfund&utm_medium=social

The second principle addresses the significant numbers of people in England who are falling into a gap between Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services and specialist mental health services.

Our third principle is already being seen in many newer primary care mental health services which are moving towards a more flexible system where it is easier and quicker for GPs to obtain expert input.

Number four is the need for mental health provision in primary care to involve specialists and generalists sharing responsibility for managing the mental health needs of the entire local population.

Some examples of the fifth principle in action could include joint consultations, case discussions, formal training and sharing informal advice between mental health professionals and primary care staff.

A lot of this joint report with @CentreforMH looks at how mental health and primary care can become better integrated, but our sixth principle recognises the need for mental health professionals to maintain their specialist skills.

Our seventh principle acknowledges that for many people with mental health difficulties, poor health is related to wider economic and social disadvantage and exclusion.

Some of the emerging models of primary mental health care reflect our eighth principle as they include a range of preventive approaches and all seek to intervene early to prevent later crises.

And finally our ninth principle highlights the need for clear processes that GPs can follow to attain rapid access to specialist advice or support for an individual. https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/mental-health-primary-care-networks?utm_source=twitter&utm_term=thekingsfund&utm_medium=social