Psychological Therapies Conference
'Developing Mental Health Practice: Everyday Use of
Psychotherapeutic Skills'
June 2019, witnessed the occasion of a truly international
conference event, that was co-hosted by South Eastern
HSC Trust and Ulster University (UU).
The conference was held at the La Mon House Hotel and
Country Club, Gransha, near the historic and picturesque
village of Comber in Co. Down, that lies within the South
Eastern HSC Trust community and thereby the population
it serves.
The Trust provides integrated Health and Social Care
Services to a resident population of 354,651, that
accounts for 19% of Northern Ireland's (NI) population.
The Trust covers an area of 425 square miles wherein local government districts of Ards and North
Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh and Newry Mourne and Down are included.
In addition, Acute Services at the Ulster Hospital serve a wider population, including East Belfast, of
approximately 440,000.
The Trust provides a range of Mental Health Services in the community, as well as at home and
in hospitals. Within this context, Mental Health Services throughout the Trust are committed to
promoting personal recovery for all.
Very often personal recovery in any of these settings across the Trust, involves the use of what are
referred to as psychological therapies. Psychological therapies or techniques are applied in any
care setting. This is an important cognitive development within Health and Social Care provision
nowadays, whereby the endeavour is to instil the notion that psychological therapies are no longer
perceived as the preserve of Mental Health Services, but to be accessible and useful to all.
Personal and Public Involvement (PPI) and therein patients/clients/service users, carers and
communities of South Eastern HSC Trust, were personally involved in the creation of the conference
programme, that over 100 delegates attended.
This was exemplified in a presentation by the Trust's 'Service User Champion' Eileen Shevlin who
also chaired the morning session, in conjunction with a service user.
PPI was further involved in the musical closure of the conference that was performed by current and
ex prisoners. This was significant, bearing in mind the Trust is also responsible for the delivery of
mental health care within the Prison Services of Northern Ireland.
The conference afforded staff the opportunity to showcase examples of their best practice in
psychological therapies across the Trust, that currently improve or have previously improved, mental
health outcomes for service users in particular, but also family, friends and loved ones significant to
them.
Nursing Workforce and Education Team 62