Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has held its annual conference in Brighton, bringing together more than 200 staff, partners and people with lived experience.
The event focused on improving care and outcomes for patients, carers, families and communities across Sussex, as the Trust reflected on progress made one year after launching its five-year strategy.
Delegates heard about a range of projects being delivered across mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services. Experts by Experience, who use their first-hand knowledge of mental health challenges and treatment to help shape services, were also involved.
Among the projects discussed was the Trust’s trial of Virtual Wards for older people across Sussex who are neurodiverse or living with mental health challenges and learning disabilities. Delivered with East Sussex Hospitals Trust, community groups and carers, the wards support people to receive treatment at home and avoid hospital stays. Nearly 90% of patients admitted so far have avoided re-admission.
The conference also heard about Staying Well, which has seen crisis cafes open across Sussex, giving people in acute mental health distress walk-in access to support. The service has helped avoid almost 9,000 emergency department attendances and 1,000 detentions under the Mental Health Act.
Commenting Dr Jane Padmore, Chief Executive at SPFT said: "Today's event was an opportunity to bring together colleagues, people with lived experience and our partners to reflect on the progress we have made together in delivering great care and improving outcomes. and the difference it is making for the people and communities we serve.
“We discussed the work underway to reduce waiting times, provide more care closer to home and tackle health inequalities. We know there is still more to do, but it was encouraging to see the progress being made and the shared commitment to continuing that improvement.
“I would like to thank our staff, experts by experience and partners for everything they do to improve the quality of our services every day. Their commitment, insight and collaboration are helping us build better care for local people, and I am grateful for the difference they make."
Other partnerships highlighted included work with Chichester Festival Theatre, housing officers supporting patients at risk of homelessness, and the Blue Light Line Rapid Response service, delivered with emergency responders to reduce hospital admissions.
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