Priority actions for change

The improvement programme identified six key actions to deliver change for people with mental health problems accessing urgent and emergency care:

1. Develop strong relationships and shared understanding.
2. Prioritise and protect improvement activity.
3. Define the problem and establish shared ownership from the outset.
4. Build a shared picture through data and insight.
5. Embed lived experience in improvement.
6. Consider sustainability from the outset.

Please read the guidance in conjunction with GIRFT Clinical Operational Standards: Adult Acute Mental Health Urgent and Emergency Care, which aims to standardise best practice to improve patient flow and reduce waiting times in emergency and acute care.