MSNAP was developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Centre for Quality Improvement (CQI) as an approach to supporting services to improve the quality of care for people with memory problems, such as dementia, as well as supporting their carers. It engages Memory Service Teams in a comprehensive process of review, through which good practice and high quality care are recognised, and services are supported to identify and address areas for improvement
The Memory Service in the Isle of Man has developed significantly since the inception of a Memory Clinic in 1998. The multidisciplinary team includes medical staff, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Memory Clinic Nurses, Community Nurses, Nurse Prescribers, Occupational Therapists, and administration staff who as a team provide specialist assessments, investigations, diagnosis, treatments and support to persons experiencing memory problems, as well as assisting their carers.
Member for Mental Health Services, Leonard Singer MHK said:
'This accreditation demonstrates the high quality of care available to those who develop dementia; undoubtedly some of the most vulnerable people in our community. Accreditations such as this are essential to rigorously assessing the services we provide, with a view to ensuring that they are continually improved. I would like to congratulate the entire team; this accreditation is testament to their hard work and exemplifies their dedication to developing our services.'
Paul Jackson, Manager for Older Persons Mental Health Services said:
'The accreditation process involved a comprehensive two stage period of self and peer review involving a broad range of people who access, work in, or come into regular contact with the Island’s Memory Service. Involving service users and carers is an integral part of MSNAP, and people with first-hand experience of using the service are encouraged to get involved in all stages of the accreditation process. The full day peer review visit by a multi professional team from the UK also included a visiting carer which demonstrates the real focus on ensuring that our service not only supports patients, but their carers too.'
The MSNAP standards and criteria are focused on the core function and process of assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment of those with memory problems, but also cover management systems for the service, resources and signposting to ongoing care management and follow ups. A series of data collection tools are used to measure adherence to the standards and criteria. These include patient, carer, GP and staff questionnaires, a health care records audit and a checklist of policies, protocols and procedures that govern service provision.
Registration and funding for the MSNAP has been supported by the Mental Health Management Team and renewal of its initial accreditation in 2010 assures staff, service users and carers of the quality of the service being provided. This ensures that people with memory problems/dementia and their carers receive fair access to a service that is person-centred, needs led and takes into account their unique and changing personal, psychosocial and physical needs.
The achievement of MSNAP accreditation comes in addition to Grianagh Court - the Island’s acute inpatient unit - also achieving Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services (AIMS) through the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This means that along with achieving British Institute of Cleaning Sciences (BICS) and Investors in People (IIP), the Island’s Mental Health Service has two nationally accredited awards from the Royal College demonstrating its commitment to delivering quality, and embracing continual improvement in services.
