This project was developed in response to the NHS England mental health programme question of “How can the Allied Health Professions workforce better support the mental health needs of patients?” Informed by the Health Education England (2021) ‘Advance, Build, Campaign, Develop and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’ (ABCDE) of advancing AHP mental health and the AHP strategy for England 2022-2027: ‘AHP’s Deliver’ (NHSE, 2022; see figure 1), we developed a test and learn project to explore the acceptability and feasibility of recruiting, designing a referral pathway, and connecting to Recovery Navigation services to support unmet mental health needs of patients presenting to 999 emergency ambulance services.
A Recovery Navigator is a mental health professional who builds on individual interests and empowers people to play an active role in developing and maintaining their own health. As a person-centered approach, recovery navigation considers the psychological and social factors which impact on a person’s mental health. The approach supports people to navigate the mental health system and connects individuals with community services to support their overall mental health and wellbeing.
On average, 15% of 999 calls to SWASFT are mental health-related. Urgent and Emergency Care Services, such as the ambulance service, often struggle to meet the needs of High Intensity Users (HIU). Despite the work of specialist teams such as the SWASFT Complex Care Team, a gap exists when patients don’t need physical care but need additional mental health support.
Recovery navigation can address this by providing guidance and networking for mental health care in the community. It helps those whose mental health (and social care) needs are often too acute and too complex for primary care professionals to address, but who don’t meet the diagnostic thresholds for access to secondary mental health services. These individuals, who tend to fall between the healthcare gaps, frequently resort to urgent and emergency care services in an attempt to meet their health needs.
Recovery Navigators empower individuals to improve and maintain their mental health and connect them with appropriate community services. A referral pathway from 999 services to Recovery Navigation could provide ambulance staff with options for patients who could benefit from community support, especially for underserved populations who may not access other areas of the healthcare system.
This referral pathway is currently closed as of 31st March 2025 – these pages are now for information purposes only.
In partnership with the Mental Health Integrated Access Partnership (IAP), which is comprised of SWASFT, BrisDoc, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), Avon and Somerset Constabulary, and Avon Fire and Rescue, alongside the Mental Health Charity ‘Second Step’, a Senior Recovery Navigator has been recruited and trained to support SWASFT 999 patients.
A referral pathway has been developed where 999 calls relating to mental health are triaged by SWASFT’s Mental Health Specialist Desk (MHSD) and where appropriate are then referred to the Senior Recovery Navigator. This service was launched in June 2024. This provides the MHSD team with options for patients for whom community and voluntary support services may be beneficial.
This referral pathway is currently closed as of 31st March 2025 – the following documents are for information purposes only.
Cat Scalesia
Senior Recovery Navigator
Hello team,
Thank you for the referrals you sent to the Recovery Navigation service throughout the past months. Your support with this initiative has been invaluable and has allowed us to continue the project for a bit longer than expected. We have seen some really positive outcomes with clients and the majority of your referrals were able to engage with the support offered. I also want to thank you for referring High-Intensity Users of 111/999 as it gave us the opportunity to learn more about their unique unmet needs and how we can better work together in trying to meet those in the future.
We were also thrilled to share that this project team won the NHS England (SW) Integrated Personalised Care Award for ‘Working Together Differently’! (February 2025). This recognition is a testament to the incredible collaboration and dedication of our teams.
Given the uncertainty surrounding this role, I decided to apply for another position within Second Step, and I was offered the job – meaning that today is my last day in this role. This wasn’t an easy decision, as I’ve been fully invested in this project and have truly enjoyed our collaboration. However, the new role will provide financial security for a bit longer and enable me to use some of my newly acquired skills. I want to thank each of you for your support and hard work. It has been a pleasure working with you all!” 😊 – 31st March 2025
Resources
Recovery Navigator, Liam Dixon, discusses his role and the skills needed to become a Recovery Navigator. Healthier with Nature is the Green Social Prescribing Programme for Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire. It is one of seven national ‘test and learn’ sites for green social prescribing across England.
Social Prescribing Link Worker, Will Shipp discusses his role and the skills needed to become a Social Prescribing Link Worker. Healthier with Nature is the Green Social Prescribing Programme for Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire. It is one of seven national ‘test and learn’ sites for green social prescribing across England.