Table 4 Recommendations for implementation of GENIE™ in mental health services: findings from ConNEct Phase 2 consultation workshops

GENIE™ should signpost to resources and support beyond the local area, e.g. national organisations and online resources.

x

x

x

There should be mechanisms for follow up after use of GENIE™: were people able to access what they were signposted to? If not, why not?

x

x

GENIE™ facilitation should factor in how people’s mental health will affect their ability to engage and where they may need extra support (low motivation, social anxiety, agoraphobia, medication side effects, etc).

x

x

Facilitator training will be key: facilitators need to be compassionate, sensitive and highly-skilled. Incorporate practice and role-playing into the training.

x

x

x

Discharge from hospital or from secondary care would be a good time to use GENIE™.

x

x

x

When someone is transitioning from supported housing to independent living arrangements would be a good time to use GENIE™.

x

GENIE™ would be valuable in a therapeutic art context.

x

It would be beneficial to use GENIE™ repeatedly on a longer-term basis.

x

x

GENIE™ would be a useful early intervention tool.

x

x

x

It would be beneficial to use GENIE™ as part of care planning and revisit it periodically with a care co-ordinator.

x

x

GENIE™ should factor in people’s varying mobility and access to transport. The facilitator will have a role in this but it also needs to be clear, for example, which venues are wheelchair-accessible and have transport links.

x

x

Time and resource should be allocated to keeping GENIE™’s database up-to-date.

x

GENIE™ facilitation should be flexible to accommodate the fact that the right time to use GENIE™ will be individual to each person depending on their individual circumstances.

x

x

Time and resource should be invested in making sure that all the people who might benefit from using GENIE™ have the opportunity to hear about it. This should include carers and factor in people’s differing communication needs and preferences. Suggested channels: leaflets, email, social media, Jobcentre Plus, local and community radio, TV, ORCHA, NHS website, healthcare settings.

x

There should be provision of financial support for those who need this in order to increase accessibility and ensure the most people possible can benefit from GENIE™.

x

GENIE™ should avoid overwhelming people with too much information.

x

People should be offered the opportunity to invite a carer, friend or family member to join them for the sessions using GENIE™ with the facilitator.

x

Time and resource should be allocated to building strong relationships with community and voluntary organisations. This will significantly enhance GENIE™’s accessibility to service users, the relevance and accuracy of the contents of the database, and successful implementation in services.

x

Careful consideration is needed around which community spaces GENIE™ includes in its database: not all are positive or therapeutic. Some sort of vetting process may be needed. Carers could also play an important role.

x

x

GENIE™ should be available in community or voluntary mental health settings as well as NHS secondary care to promote accessibility and inclusivity.

x

Social workers and peer support workers are well-placed to facilitate GENIE™.

x

GENIE™ fits in well with routine care planning activity and need not be framed as a whole extra activity.

x

Staff time will be a barrier to implementation and this needs to be planned for. Longer than usual appointments may be needed for facilitation of GENIE™.

x

Facilitator training should include the importance of getting accurate information from the beginning, going over it a couple of times to make sure, and getting feedback as you go.

x

GENIE™ facilitation may be enhanced by taking place in a group setting.

x

It would be beneficial to use GENIE™ in primary care while people are waiting for a mental health assessment.

x

Support from senior management and a good balance between evidencing GENIE™ and not adding pressure to staff will be key to successful trial and implementation.

x

GENIE™ should have an exportable output element and/or link to clinical systems.

x