Lewisham`s community mental health teams praised

Lewisham’s joint community mental health teams offer a good,
integrated and well-regarded care planning service, according to a
report from the Social Services Inspectorate.

The report from a January inspection of the south London
council’s adult mental health services reveals a systematic
performance management culture, with mature partnership
arrangements between the statutory agencies.

Lewisham’s social care and health care directorate and the South
London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Trust jointly provide mental
health services for the area. The report finds good joint working
practices and use of pooled budgets, but says a single management
arrangement for the relevant partner agencies should be considered,
including Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Health Authority.

The agencies should also consider how best to promote the
development of the area’s vibrant voluntary sector, the report
recommends.