Quick update on ethnic mental health carer group

The meeting focused on carer involvement and representation across different regions, with participants discussing their roles in supporting carers and addressing discrimination. The main focus for this meeting was on “What does good look like?” when it comes to Triangle of Care and PCREF.

The group explored the Triangle of Care initiative and its five key elements, including discussions about medication-related challenges and the need for better communication between healthcare providers and carers. The conversation ended with conversations about improving carer support systems, including the importance of advocacy, training, and creating safe spaces for carers to share concerns confidentially.

Carer Representation and Involvement Strategies

The meeting focused on carer involvement and representation, with several participants introducing themselves and their roles in supporting carers across different regions. Kelvin discussed his work in South London and Morseley, highlighting his focus on eliminating discrimination against carers based on skin color or illness. A representative from West London shared her interest in co-production and accessibility of services for carers, while another professional, the new carer’s lead in Berkshire Healthcare Trust, expressed her commitment to working collaboratively with carers. We also had family and friend carer representatives from West Yorkshire, emphasized the importance of genuine co-production and equity of representation. We also hade representative, based in Bristol, detailed her work as a carer involvement coordinator, including training staff and leading initiatives on the Triangle of Care and the Patient Care Race Equality Framework.

Triangle of Care Implementation Discussion

The meeting focused on the Triangle of Care initiative, with Kelvin introducing the “Give Me 5” system, which consists of five key elements: decency, respect, honesty, trust, and empathy. There were also some updates discussed the challenges of engaging staff in understanding the severity of Triangle of Care and mentioned ongoing work on carers’ feedback forms. Matthew shared information about the 6 standards for Triangle of Care and emphasized the importance of carer involvement in mental health services, particularly in the context of the Patient Care Race Equality Framework. The group planned to co-produce visions for best practice in care involvement and racial equity in mental health care.

Ethnic Minority Carer Engagement Plan

Matthew presented a workshop plan focused on ethnic minority carers and discussed auditing models, highlighting the importance of addressing cultural and language needs. He outlined key questions related to carer identification, staff training, and experience sharing, emphasizing the synergy between PCREF and carer Triangle of Care. Kelvin mentioned updating a confidentiality booklet to include cultural issues and PCREF involvement, which Matthew suggested could be shared with other organizations. The group discussed the need to review and update carer confidentiality materials to align with PCREF standards.

Medication Care and Community Disparities

The group discussed medication-related issues in healthcare, particularly focusing on diverse communities and the role of carers. A carer emphasized the importance of gathering feedback from carers about their experiences with medication administration and side effects, while others highlighted concerns about racial disparities in medication treatment for Black patients. A carer suggested that psychiatrist training and involvement are crucial for the success of care models, and another member proposed including training for pharmacists in the triangle of care to ensure effective communication about medication.

Cultural Sensitivity in Mental Health

The group discussed concerns about medication side effects and cultural understanding in mental health services, particularly for Black and minority ethnic populations. A patient shared her personal experience of being prescribed medication without being informed of potential side effects, which she only discovered through trial and error. The discussion highlighted the need for better communication between psychiatrists, patients, and carers, with suggestions including the use of plain language materials, visual aids, and dedicated helplines for medication information. The group also emphasized the importance of considering cultural factors when prescribing medication and suggested that healthcare providers should be more aware of the potential for unconscious bias in their interactions with patients from different backgrounds.

Enhancing Medication Information Accessibility

The meeting focused on medication information accessibility and communication challenges. Someone shared that her trust uses translated medication leaflets but noted that staff explanations are often inadequate, while a carer explained that pharmacies avoid printing detailed information due to liability concerns and use complex medical language. A carer proposed advocating for national changes to simplify medication information and suggested conducting an independent survey to assess staff and carer needs. The discussion concluded with a carer highlighting the need for a dedicated crisis hotline for mental health support, as current emergency services were found to be stressful during crises.

Empowering Carers Through Advocacy

Marcella discussed her work with the Power organization in Bristol, which provides training to carers on advocacy and self-advocacy, and emphasized the importance of seeking out such training to empower carers. A carer shared his experience with the LCFT NHS trust, highlighting their support for carers and the importance of communication and networking. Another carer mentioned the lack of awareness about support services for carers, including those for veterans and the Princess Royal Trust. A Carer emphasized the value of carers to the NHS and suggested streamlining the numerous charities and support groups to make them more accessible. Matthew proposed ideas for improving support for carers, including offering African caribbean support groups from the first contact and training advocates in cultural awareness and anti-racism. A Carer added that actively listening to carers’ voices is crucial for providing effective advocacy and support.

Simplifying Healthcare for Carers

The meeting focused on challenges carers face in navigating complex healthcare systems and the need for simplification. A carer highlighted the complexity of the system, emphasizing that carers often have to handle administrative tasks that paid professionals should manage. Others discussed the importance of having trained staff to assist carers with benefits and housing issues, ensuring loved ones do not face difficulties upon discharge. The group agreed on the necessity of involving carers in training staff and designing training content, with a carer shared a storytelling project to improve staff understanding and treatment of patients. A carer suggested creating advisory groups to streamline communication between carers and service providers, while someone emphasized the need for unapologetic advocacy for lived experiences, particularly from Black, Brown, and Ethnic Minority communities.

Enhancing Carer Support Mechanisms

The meeting focused on improving carer support and feedback mechanisms within healthcare organizations. Participants discussed creating safe spaces for carers to share concerns confidentially, with a carer emphasizing the need for separate discussions away from loved ones. Another carer highlighted the importance of regular check-ins with carers to ensure they feel valued and supported. The group also addressed the need for clear processes for carers to make complaints about staff behavior and discussed the importance of having a named carer lead within organizations. Matthew announced that feedback on the workshop would be collected via email over the next two weeks before being sent to the Carers Trust.