Support and Implementation Collaboration of Stepped Care 2.0 Methodology

The National Strategic Programme for Mental Health's requirement is to access expert guidance and support to steer the transformation process in Wales, bringing in learning from successful implementation in other nations, and building on the learning developed by primary care clusters in relation to the Primary Care Model for Wales. The transformation process will follow the phased approach successfully utilised in other nations guided by Stepped Care Solutions.

The National Strategic Programme for Mental Health is looking to award a contract for phase 1 of this project with a view that additional phases may need to be invoked as and when funding is approved.

Phase 1 will include the following;

• Building an implementation structure
• Building an understanding of SC2.0
• Assessing readiness and planning strategies
• Developing co-production plans
• Developing communication and engagement plans
• SC2.0 core component current state analysis
• Developing a Wales implementation plan based on the knowledge gained

Additional phases 2 to 4 if required will be scoped as follows;

Phase 2 will prepare the Welsh Mental Health system and associated Primary Care services for implementation. NHS Executive will require expert support and consultation to work alongside the Wales implementation team to develop an implementation process for a co-created system of care, and resources to support the implementation which align with the Welsh context. This will include (but not limited to) identifying service resource, planning and facilitating training and developing improvement and evaluation plans. An anticipated timescale of 6 months is envisaged.

Phase 3 will provide expert consultation advice and support for the implementation team and local leaders will be required to commence implementation with early adopters. Options include commencing on a smaller scale in a number of early adopting Health Boards, or with one component of the model on a national basis. This could mean (but not limited to) adding a new service, implementing specific aspects of the change, or targeting one part of the system or organisation. An anticipated timescale of 12 months is envisaged.

Phase 4 support will be required for national and local implementation teams for ongoing Implementation and Improvement. At this stage, implementation of the model within early adopter will be in progress. When data indicates things are going well, implementation will be expanded to the rest of the Health Boards. Learning from the early adopter sites will be shared and applied. This may require cycling back to Phase 1 to begin the planning process given the local place-based context of each additional Health Board area. Within the early adopter site locations, fidelity to the agreed model, and sustainability will be monitored, while a focus is maintained on the need for continuous adjustments based on organisational and population changes. Ensuring ongoing operational and leadership support is in place will enable Health Boards to continue implementation, and to independently ensure sustainability of the changes underway. An anticipated timescale of 9 to 12 months is envisaged. Additional information: Requirements for the additional phases may need to be negotiated and adjusted according to available funding and NHS Executive requirements, therefore, the intention is to utilise this notice as a call off as and when phases are approved.