Membership of our network has continued to grow in 2009/10, reflecting the diverse range of organisations that provide NHS mental health services in England. In 2010/11, we will continue to address the important issues and work closely with our members to ensure that we are focusing our efforts where they need it the most. Our priorities will include:

Improving our relationships with members

The network will continue to improve and strengthen our relationship with members by developing our current contact programme. This will include developing and exploring new ways of engaging with members, providing more opportunities for members to get involved and represent the network at key meetings and developing a key programme of  visits to member organisations. 

Developing relationships with a new government

We will be working to help members respond to the post-election environment and anticipate and plan for potential change. We will continue our work to ensure that, whichever party forms the next government, we remain a powerful voice for mental health providers and are effective in representing members' views to government and policy makers. A key focus will be encouraging sustained momentum in implementing key elements of New Horizons and the recommendations relating to mental health made by Lord Bradley in his review.

Influencing the system reform agenda

We will continue to work with the DH on the development and implementation of a currency for mental health services. We will be working to ensure that members' views are heard at key stages of policy development and to kept  up to date with the implications of these changes.

Quality and productivity in mental health

As funding for the NHS comes under increasing pressure, helping members to respond to the quality and productivity agenda will be a key priority for us. We will be working with partners from PCTN, DH, NMHDU and the Audit Commission on a programme of work aimed at supporting mental health providers, through distinct products and services, to effectively respond to the quality and productivity challenge.

Mental health commissioning

We will be working with our PCT Network and the National Mental Health Development Unit on improving the quality of, and giving better support to, mental health commissioning. We will ensure that members are kept up to date with information and guidance delivered via this work programme.

Contract with National Mental Health Development unit (NMHDU)

We will continue to develop a programme of work funded by  NMHDU. The scope of this work is far ranging and will include mental health commissioning, personalisation and the personal health budget, mental health and well being and improving quality and productivity in mental health services (QIPP agenda).

Our membership year 2009/10

For a brief snapshot of some of the work we have been doing on behalf of our members over the past year, please see the MHN yearly snapshot.