Introducing a single point of access (SPA) to child and adolescent mental health services in England: a mixed-methods observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In many high-income countries, primary care practitioners are the main point of referral for specialist mental health services. In England, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are increasingly adopting a Single Point of Access (SPA) to streamline referrals and introduce self and parent/carer-referrals. This involves a significant shift of responsibility from primary care towards CAMHS who adopt a more active role as gatekeeper for their service. This study evaluates the adoption of a SPA in CAMHS across a large region in England.

Methods

We conducted an observational mixed methods study in two CAMHS from January 2018 to March 2019 to evaluate the adoption of a SPA. We collected quantitative data from electronic patient records and qualitative data

SUBMITTER: Rocks S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7346657 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature