Physical Health Check Screen and Intervene Service for People with Serious Mental Illness in West Sussex

About

NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit awarded a 16-month contract to Southdown Housing Association Limited for the provision of a Physical Health Check Screen & Intervene Service for people with serious mental illness in West Sussex, commencing 1st December 2023.

The contract value is £187,000.00.

The service aims to improve outcomes for individuals living with severe mental illness (SMI), who have a life expectancy 15-20 years lower than the general population, partly due to overlooked physical health needs.

It ensures timely physical health assessments, supports individuals to use health information, and offers advice or interventions to reduce preventable health conditions.

The service works proactively with Primary Care Networks to generate referrals from Practice SMI Registers, targeting those needing support to attend physical health checks and those likely to benefit from health improvement interventions.

The service operates Sussex-wide with the same provider, ensuring consistency, and is well received by patients.

The current contract has been in effect since June 2022 and is extended until the end of March 2025, while a wider recommissioning of community-based mental health support services is undertaken across Sussex.