At a time of unprecedented financial constraints in the National Health Service, occupational therapy services are required to develop mechanisms to ensure the efficient allocation of occupational therapy resources. This paper describes the development of prioritisation protocols within a mental health trust. A review of their implementation found that occupational therapists were finding the protocols helpful in prioritising referrals and clarifying the added value of their interventions. These findings and the follow-up action plan suggest how protocols such as these can be used effectively to ensure that the occupational needs of service users are met, resulting in enhanced outcomes.
AubinGHacheyRMercierC (2002) The significance of daily activities of living with severe mental disorders. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(4), 218–28.
2.
College of Occupational Therapists (2006) Recovering ordinary lives: The strategy for occupational therapy in mental health services 2007–2017. London: COT.
3.
College of Occupational Therapists (2010) Quality and productivity. COT briefing 128. London: COT.
4.
Department of Health (2010a) Equity and excellence; liberating the NHS. London: DH.
5.
Department of Health (2010b) The NHS quality, innovation, productivity and prevention challenge: An introduction for clinicians. London: DH.
6.
Department of Health (2010c) Mental health clustering booklet (2010/11). Gateway Ref: 13591. London: DH.
7.
Department of Health (2011a) PbR MH Fact sheet No. 15, March. Gateway Ref: 15828. London: DH.
8.
Department of Health (2011b) No health without mental health. London: DH.
9.
Disability Rights Commission (2006) Equal treatment: Closing the gap: A formal investigation into the physical health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities and/or mental health problems. London: DRC.
10.
GrimmEMeusJBrownCExleySHartmanSHaysC (2009) Meal preparation: Comparing treatment approaches to increase acquisition of skills for adults with schizophrenic disorders. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 29(4), 148–53.
11.
HarriesPGilhoolyK (2011) Training novices to make expert, occupationally focused, community mental health referral decisions. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(2), 58–65.
12.
IvarssonA-BSoderbackISteinF (2000) Goal intervention and outcome of occupational therapy in individuals with psychosis. Content analysis through a chart review. Occupational Therapy International, 7(1), 21–41.
13.
KinnLGAasRW (2009) Occupational therapists' perception of their practice: A phenomenological study. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 56(2), 112–21.
14.
LeeSWMorleyMTaylorRRKielhofnerGGarnhamMHeasmanD (2011) The development of care pathways and packages in mental health based on the Model of Human Occupation Screening Tool. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(6), 284–94.
MorleyMGarnhamMForsythFLeeSWTaylorRKielhofnerG (2011) Developing occupational therapy indicative care packages in preparation for mental health Payment by Results. Mental Health Occupational Therapy, 16(1), 15–19.
17.
NortheyABarnettF (2012) Physical health parameters: Comparison of people with severe mental illness with the general population. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75(2), 100–05.
18.
OrmstonC (2008) Developing indicators of occupational need. Mental Health Occupational Therapy, 13(3), 136–39.
19.
PetticanABryantW (2007) Sustaining a focus on occupation in community mental health practice. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(4), 140–46.
20.
SelfRRigbyALeggettCPaxtonR (2008) Clinical decision support tool: A rational needs-based approach to making clinical decisions. Journal of Mental Health, 17(1), 33–48.
21.
WingJKBeevorASCurtisRHParkSBGHaddenSBurnsA (1998) Health of the Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS): Research and development. British Journal of Psychiatry, 172(1), 11–18.
