Patient Carer Race Equality Framework (PCREF)
What is the PCREF approach?
PCREF was a recommendation from the national Mental Health Act Review to eliminate the unacceptable racial disparity this Trust (in common with most Mental Health Trusts) see in Access, Experience and Outcomes (AEO) and to significantly improve the trust and confidence of Black communities in our services
The PCREF Programme is a partnership between the Trust and host organisations, Croydon BME Forum and Lambeth Black Thrive. Our partnership brings together Trust staff and Black service users, their carers and communities to jointly develop the PCREF – Please join us!
What have we done so far?
In partnership with Black Thrive and SLam, between November 2020 and January 2021, a phase of pre-engagement our three groups – Black community members, people who use our services and their carers, and staff. This involved going out to meet people where they are and initiating conversations about PCREF. This was followed by a specific event for each group called ‘Fit for Partnership’ to explore how we can work together as staff, members of the Black community, service users and carers.
In February 2021, we delivered four borough-based events in Lambeth, Southwark, Croydon and Lewisham. These were co-hosted by SLaM borough Service Directors and each borough Independent Advisory Group. Here we discussed quantitative and qualitative information gathered on AEO of the ethnic groups identified and discuss what areas we should focus on next. We held a Trust-wide event to bring together all perspectives and identify an overarching approach to focus on in the next phase of developing our PCREF approach and key areas that the Trust needs to improve, to better meet the needs of the local Black community.
We have rolled out phase two of the programme, focusing on the ten national organizational competencies identified by NHS England in addition to two local organizational competencies that were identified during the first phase. These are the skills and practices the trust needs to focus on, to improve the way we offer and deliver services so that equity is achieved.
What is happening now?
From June 2022 onwards, the PCREF Programme is in Phase 3 – the implementation phase. The governance structures are much clearer and new implementation triple leadership teams are in place. There is a need to ensure that what is being implemented is effective in delivering the change we want to see. There are multiple perspectives which need to be satisfied that what is being implemented is effective and that is why the DEW (Developmental Evaluation Working) group has been established.
Get involved?
Contact us to become a member of the Croydon IAG (Independent Advisory Group) and get involved in the PCREF (Patient Care Race Equality Framework) project to improve access, experiences and outcomes for black people in healthcare services.
For more information: [email protected] and to join our mailing list enter details here:
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Support this work by sharing through your networks:
#SLaMPCREF
#BlackMentalHealth
#JoinTheJourney
@MaudsleyNHS
@CroydonBMEForum
@BlackThrive
Activists and Allies Programme
We know there are lots of people who are passionate about PCREF and are keen to get involved and be part of the movement to redesign mental health care for black people. This is why we are developing the PCREF Activists and Allies programme for anyone who wants to learn more, share their experiences and ideas, contribute to the work on organizational competencies, and help us spread the word so more people can get involved.
If you are a service user or carer, get in touch with the PCREF team by emailing PCREF@[email protected] for more information.