The report identifies three key principles that will enable digital to reach its potential in supporting people’s mental health – collaboration, clarity and co-ordination – and makes a series of suggestions to support the adoption and scaling of new technologies for mental health.
These suggestions on how the potential of digital mental health can be maximised include:
- Building a shared narrative around solutions that are not technology-led and designed around the needs of people with mental health.
- Working effectively within new and evolving local governance infrastructures such as integrated care systems.
- Tackling inclusion and providing clarity on the existing environment through agreeing a national process for establishing a modern regulatory system.
- Wider and deeper national conversations on digital mental health and its future where NHS England are establishing a national innovation working group.
Our Group Clinical Director, Dr Jon Van Niekerk, has welcomed the report and its findings. He said:
“The NHS Confederation’s document, “Maximising the potential of digital in mental health”, provides a compelling vision for the future of digital mental health services.
“These principles and building blocks have the opportunity to shape a healthcare landscape where digital innovations are seamlessly integrated into mental health care, providing high-quality, accessible, and inclusive services to all.
“I fully support the call for further exploration of these ideas and a collaborative effort to bring them to fruition.
“The mental health sector can indeed benefit immensely from embracing digital technology as a means to improve outcomes and reduce health inequalities, and I am excited to see Cygnet and other mental health providers engage in this transformative journey.”