Navigating NHS commissioning for digital mental health: a perspective on learning through collaboration

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• Digital Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) show potential for addressing youth mental health needs.
• Commissioning DMHIs within the National Health Service (NHS) presents significant challenges for innovators.
• The Online Remote Behavioural Intervention for Tics (ORBIT) intervention serves as a case study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore barriers and enablers to commissioning DMHIs in England.
• To provide insights for innovators navigating the NHS commissioning process.
• To identify strategies for successful implementation of digital mental health solutions.

Main Methods:

• Perspective paper based on a collaborative commissioning event.
• Analysis of insights from innovators and stakeholders.
• Case study of the ORBIT intervention for tic disorders.

Main Results:

• Key challenges include unclear commissioning pathways, limited clinical expertise, integration difficulties, and short-term funding.
• Enablers for commissioning involve clinical advocacy, strong research evidence, and alignment with national policies.
• Early collaboration among academics, developers, and policymakers is crucial.

Conclusions:

• Bridging the gap between innovation and implementation in digital mental health requires addressing systemic barriers.
• Strategic engagement and evidence generation are vital for successful DMHI commissioning.
• Future efforts should focus on streamlining pathways and fostering collaborative development cycles.