Pulling together: multi-disciplinary training for mental health nursing

Area of Science:

• Mental Health Training and Education
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health identified deficiencies in specialist mental health training.
• Existing uni-disciplinary training models are insufficient for modern integrated, community-based mental health services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review specialist mental health training and propose improvements.
• To address the need for skills development in multi-disciplinary mental health settings.
• To explore the implications for mental health nurse education.

Main Methods:

• Commissioned a major review of specialist mental health training.
• Analysis of existing training structures and their efficacy.
• Consideration of user and carer expectations for partnership and information sharing.

Main Results:

• Current training fails to equip professionals for multi-disciplinary, integrated services.
• Users and carers expect equal partnership and information sharing.
• A case is made for separating mental health nurse education from general nursing.

Conclusions:

• Specialist mental health training requires significant reform.
• Mental health nurse education should be distinct to meet service demands.
• Enhanced training is crucial for effective, collaborative mental healthcare.