Council and democracy

Commissioning Intentions for Adult Mental Health Services

The Hertfordshire Mental Health Strategy proposes to develop a recovery oriented mental health system of care and treatment. This means developing services according to a set of values, assumptions and beliefs that are about the potential of recovery from mental ill health.

A recovery oriented mental health system will aim to promote recovery and improve the service user's quality of life and unlock their potential including opportunities for work and other meaningful activities. This means fully implementing the National Service Framework and having the full range of hospital and community based services, including secure settings and prison services. It also includes promoting self-help and peer-run services and valuing the contributions of family, partners and friends, as well as recognising the importance of an individual's cultural and spiritual needs.

A number of key principles guide service development. These emphasise the philosophy behind the recovery approach and highlight essential characteristics of the mental health system we want to create. These principles are:

• Continuity of care.

• Accessiblity.

• Integration and co-ordination.

• Effectiveness of treatment and care interventions.

• Social inclusion.

• Minimising disruption and interruption to service user's life.

• Hope, empowerment and wellness.

• The central role of the service user in determining the care and treatment they receive.

• Offering choices through flexible and responsive services.

• Adopting a 'Whole Life' approach