QNPMHS publications and resources

(PDF)The sixth edition of the standards has been developed in consultation with individuals from member services of the Quality Network for Prison Mental Health Services (QNPMHS) programme, patient representatives and other experts (please see appendix 1 for a full list of acknowledgements).

1. Mapping exercise

   The first stage of this process was to review the existing QNPMHS Standards for Prison Mental Health Services – 5^th Edition (2021) to identify gaps, remove repetition and improve measurability. The second stage involved mapping these standards against the Royal College of Psychiatrists Standards for Community Mental Health Services – 4^th Edition (2022). The purpose of this stage was to identify published community mental health services standards that were applicable to Prison services.

2. Literature review

   A literature review and review of key documents was carried out (see reference list).

3. Electronic consultation

   In December 2022, a survey was sent electronically to all QNPMHS member services and the Advisory Group to gather feedback on where changes to the fifth edition of the standards were needed. This survey offered the opportunity to provide feedback on the clarity and measurability of the standards, which standards required removal/altering and which standards were missing.

4. Standards consultation events

   During the QNPMHS Advisory Group meeting on 06 February 2023, the draft of the revised standards, based on the feedback received during the e-consultation, was shared for feedback and comments. This involved making changes to the draft standards and removing any standard that was no longer required.

   On 18 April 2023, QNPMHS hosted a virtual standards consultation event. The event was attended by staff from Prison services and involved a brief introductory presentation on the process of developing the standards. This was followed by group discussions to decide on any changes to the revised standards and whether any further standards needed to be removed.
   

5. Categorisation of standards

   All criteria are rated as Type 1, 2 and 3.

   Type 1: Essential standards. Failure to meet these would result in a significant threat to patient safety, rights or dignity and/or would breach the law. These standards also include the fundamentals of care, including the provision of evidence-based care and treatment.

   Type 2: Expected standards that all services should meet.

   Type 3: Desirable standards that high-performing services should meet.

6. Sustainability principles

The standards have been mapped against the College’s sustainability principles.

Services that meet 90% or more of the standards relevant to Sustainability Principles (marked with the green leaf logo) will be awarded a Sustainable Service Accreditation certification in recognition of the provision of a sustainable mental health service.

Our annual reports summarise findings from the review visits that are conducted each year.

They outline the current climate within prison mental health nationally, identifying best practice as well as the key areas of challenge experienced by participating services.

• 2021-2023 Year Seven and Eight (PDF)
• 2019-2021 Year Five and Six (PDF)
• 2018-2019 Year Four (PDF)
• 2017-2018 Year Three (PDF)
• 2016-2017 Year Two (PDF)
• 2015-2016 Pilot Year (PDF)

The Quality Network for Prison Mental Health Services (QNPMHS) newsletters explore new and prominent themes in each edition as well as showcasing patient artwork, creative writing and providing updates from the Network. You can find the most recent editions below:

• QNPMHS 2024 AF Highlights Bulletin (PDF)
• Issue 16 – Autumn/Winter 2023 (PDF)
• Issue 15 – Spring/Summer 2023 (PDF)
• Issue 14 – Autumn/Winter 2022 (PDF)
• Issue 13 – Spring/Summer 2022 (PDF)
• Issue 12 – Autumn/Winter 2021 (PDF)
• Issue 11 – Spring/Summer 2021 (PDF)
• Issue 10 – Autumn/Winter 2020 (PDF)
• Issue 9 – Spring/Summer 2020 (PDF)

Previous editions of the newsletters can be found on Knowledge Hub.

To sign up to Knowledge Hub or if you have an article you would like to us to feature, please email prisonnetwork@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Creative writing booklet

In 2020 and 2021, the Quality Networks for Forensic and Prison Mental Health Services collaboratively launched a creative writing competition for patients. All the fantastic entries have been compiled into two special edition creative writing booklets:

• Creative writing booklet (2021) (PDF)
• Creative writing booklet (2020) (PDF)

Knowledge Hub is a free to join, online discussion forum. All our members are invited to join the QNPMHS discussion forum, which will allow you to:

• Share best practice and quality improvement initiatives
• Seek advice and connect with other members
• Discuss current issues and policies
• Share policies, procedures and guidelines
• Advertise and view upcoming events and conferences

To join knowledge hub, please email ‘join knowledge hub’ to prisonnetwork@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Care Programme Approach and the Community Mental Health Framework

This work stemmed from our April 2019 event with Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV). Within prison settings, CPA has been poorly implemented and the principles underpinning the approach have been lost. QNPMHS and TEWV have been working collaboratively to create a thorough and effective guidance document to help support clinicians and services with the CPA process.

Purpose of the document

The purpose of the document is to standardise the CPA and successor processes and to ensure consistency within and between prisons and through transfers from and to community services. The guidance will also be helpful for immigration removal centres.

• Access the guidance document (PDF)

Training resources

To improve knowledge and awareness of CPA/CMHF within your prison, you can use the resources that have been developed by the Network in collaboration with QNPMHS member services. The resources include:

• Training slides (PPT)
• Guidance document (PDF), including aims and recommendations for the training
• CPA/CMHF passport (PDF)

Since the Quality Network for Prison Mental Health Services (QNPMHS) was established in 2015 there have been variations in the quantity and type of staff within prisons across regions. The QNPMHS Staffing Report (PDF) [Link to document] has been produced by the network to explore the staffing situation within prison mental health services and to offer good-practice examples for staffing related to the QNPMHS Sixth Edition Standards (2023) (PDF). The purpose of the document is to provide an update on staffing across prisons who were member services of the QNPMHS between 2023 - 2024.