Strategy in Action event highlights ambition to deliver next generation of care through research innovation
On Tuesday, the Trust welcomed members of the public and service users to our fifth bi-annual Strategy in Action event to share how we’re working to improve patient care.
Over 200 attendees heard at a local event in Croydon how we are working with partners to deliver the next generation of care through research innovation.
The event gave the participants an opportunity to explore current challenges, our strategic research aims plus the types of studies underway.
There was also a panel that took questions from the floor to open up discussions about how we can improve our services.
Norman Lamb, Chair of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said:
It was so great to see so many people who use our services, carers, staff and partners at this event. We are excited about the research projects underway across the service. We try to constantly engage with all our communities. We want to listen and are willing to learn so we can improve the lives for those we care for.
David Bradley, CEO of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, said:
Research into new innovative treatments is vital to providing excellent care. It is central to our strategy as it enables us to push the boundaries of what is possible to enhance lives and promote wellbeing. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who continue to provide care for the people who use our services, everyone who gets involved in research, and those who work alongside us to achieve our ambitions.
Our ambitions around research
Our strategic research ambition builds on our commitment to being a leading and reliable voice in national and global conversations around improving mental health by 2026.
The evening examined how we are using research to improve care along with our partners, the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, so we can continue to bring about change through innovation.
Our aims by 2026 are that:
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100% of service users will be offered the opportunity to participate in research studies
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100% of service users will be offered the latest evidence-based treatment with a focus on psychosis pathways in the first phase
Service user, member of the Service User Research Advisory Group (SURAG) and research participant, Charlie, who has schizoaffective disorder said: “I have an important role to play in the research that is going on. I feel my input is extremely valuable and feel more people like me should be listened to.”
Research underway
The Trust has long been a globally renowned research organisation. Our current collaboration with local partners ensures our work directly benefits the communities we serve.
Dr Sameer Jauhar, a Consultant Psychiatrist in Croydon, updated attendees about two research projects benefiting people in south London, including:
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Cannabis Clinic for Patients with Psychosis (CCP) whereby research has demonstrated the relationship between high potency cannabis use and psychosis.
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First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for Eating Disorders (FREED) where the defining features and needs of 16–25-year-olds is researched with promising outcomes already shown
To deliver on our strategic aims by 2026, we are providing a variety of initiatives for people to get involved in research, whether you are a staff member, service user, carer or member of the public.
Our Take Part in Research webpage was launched in July 2023 and publicly lists research projects recruiting through the Trust. Across all our services, we have around 60 Research Champions who act as a point of contact for all research activity relevant to their team.
Through our Building Race Equity & Diversity (BREaD) in Research Network, we share good practice on race inclusion, diversity and equity in research with NHS and university partners. BREaD links with Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF) which exists to eliminate the unacceptable racial disparity in the access, experience and outcomes that Black communities face and to significantly improve their trust and confidence in mental health services.
To assist us with being a transparent, responsive and equitable organisation, we have developed an anti-racism plan. Promoting anti-racist practice in research – removing barriers to taking part in research and increasing diversity and access to research – is key to this plan.
Savi Hensman, Involvement Co-ordinator at NIHR ARC South London, who had a stall at the event said:
“Diverse public involvement is at the heart of the Trust’s strategy to deliver improved mental health services to people in south London. This resonates strongly with the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) South London, where we are focused on tackling local health inequalities through research. Involving diverse members of the public, patients and service users is essential to delivering research that can improve services, inform policy and be a catalyst for change.”
Research Champion, Tamara, said:
“I would say that without research, you can’t progress, develop or learn. You need research to improve so many things. Without research we wouldn’t have got this far.”
Service user and carer, Vanessa Bray, who sits on the Steering Group for the Patient Stories Project said:
"Co-production to me as a service user means being involved at all points of a project - the design, implementation and outcomes. I have seen this done first hand really well in the Patient Stories Project where I have always felt valued."
The King’s Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People is a new partnership between the Trust and the IoPPN which will find new ways to predict, prevent and treat mental ill health disorders for children and young people. The partnership will have its home in the new Pears Maudsley Centre on the Maudsley campus, Denmark Hill, Southwark.
Membership
We are a foundation trust so we have more freedom in how we run our services so we can respond directly to local needs. We are also accountable to our service users, community and staff who make up our membership. We host members meetings to present our annual report and accounts. To find out more about becoming a member or request copies of our reports, please contact membership@slam.nhs.uk.
The next strategy update event will take place on October 2024. If you’d like more information and to keep in touch, please contact strategy@slam.nhs.uk
