The Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) is a clinical system that evolved in Richmond CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), was implemented wholesale in East Herts CAMHS and is now being widely implemented across the UK and the rest of the World.
CAPA's purpose is service re-design to reduce waiting times and offer families treatment that responds to their needs whilst fully utilising the CAMH team skills. Many CAMHS partnerships are using this model across the West Midlands and are at different stages in its implementation.
The CAMHS team at WMRDC held a Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) workshop on 13th October 2009. This brought together key stakeholders from CAMHS organisations to showcase good practice from 3 areas within the region where the CAPA model has been used. It also included a presentation about the recently-published document ‘Improving Access to CAMHS’ which can be found at http://www.cypf.org.uk/camhs/improving-access-to-camhs.html.
The workshop proved to be an excellent networking opportunity and feedback from the delegates was that it was useful, enjoyable and practical. At the end of the workshop each delegate was asked to write an ‘Oath’, this was an action that they would take back to their workplace from the day. This will enable us to test the effectiveness of the workshop and delegates will be followed up in 6 months time to see if their Oath has been acted upon.
The WMRDC CAMHS Team has also now developed a West Midlands CAPA online forum. This enables delegates to share information, ask/pose questions and keep up to date with knowledge in relation to CAPA.
NEW ! The CAMHS team at NHS West Midlands held a follow up CAPA workshop on 18th November 2010. The workshop was well attended. The opening presentation can be found at the CAPA Presentation
Further information on the Choice and Partnership Approach can be found at www.camhsnetwork.co.uk.