Integration of health and social care: a case study of a London borough

Background: There have been ongoing efforts in England to combine the NHS with local authority social care services to enhance health and wellbeing. However, research into integrated care in mental health provision remains scarce. Aim: This qualitative case study aims to explore and examine the processes implemented for facilitating integration of health and social care provision in mental health in one London borough, where The Collaborative was established in 2010. Methods: A case study methodology was adopted with a qualitative inductive inquiry based upon the paradigm of social constructionism. Method triangulation was employed by integrating data from the local documents including policies in phase one; 13 semi-structured interviews with a leadership team in phase two and five focus groups, each with four front-line staff in phase three. Four focus groups were conducted online due to COVID-19 and one in person. The policy analysis matrix was used for the documentary analysis and for subsequently identifying, refining, and connecting the emergent themes utilising NVivo 11. The data were analysed through thematic analysis. Findings: The principles of collaboration, peer support and empowerment underpin the partnership between the five organisations under The Collaborative and the multidisciplinary team, including input from the voluntary sector. Implementation of these has achieved better access to housing for the service users. Inequalities, such as parity of esteem, socio-economic factors, ethnic minorities and stigma, continue to hamper access to mental health services and psychological support. The interviewees revealed that people with lived experience have benefitted from peer support and, during COVID-19 with digital peer support. Conclusion: The findings indicate that The Collaborative is still developing. This study adds to the literature related to policy development in integrated care and mental health in a London borough with an ethnically diverse setting.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Greenwich

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Shahul-Hameed, Manju

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Foster, John

• RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine

Language dc:language

en