NHS could save millions by working with housing associations to provide mental health care, report claims

The NHS could save millions yet still improve the quality of adult mental health care by working with housing associations, a report has claimed.

The report, Integration That Works, by One Housing and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust (C&I) shows how Tile House, a pioneering mental health scheme in King’s Cross run by One Housing and C&I, has helped save the NHS nearly £900,000 in mental health services since it opened in September 2012.

Tile House provides 15 self-contained supported housing units for customers with a range of complex mental health issues. Each customer has their own flat that is designed to the same specification as a residential one-bedroom apartment.

It was developed through a joint initiative with One Housing, C&I and Camden Council and aims to combine high-quality accommodation, dedicated clinical support and personalised social care all under one roof.

The partnership scheme, the first of its kind in the UK, adopts the new Care Support Plus model and offers an alternative to staying in hospital.

Tile House achieved the £900,000 savings by:

• Freeing-up hospital beds by reducing the number of admissions and the overall length of stay by patients needing mental health care

• Supporting people with complex mental health needs to build their confidence, live independently, improve their health and overall quality of life.

Wendy Wallace, chief executive of C&I said, “This unique scheme is for people who have complex long-term mental health issues who would otherwise be in hospital. We want to treat as many people as possible in the community, where they can be close to their family, friends, work and hobbies. Tile House helps us do that, and do it very successfully.”

Kevin Beirne, group director of housing, care and support at One Housing added: “We believe that this new partnership approach is the way forward, to not only help people with mental health issues to recover more quickly but also transform the overall quality of mental health care.

“There is huge potential to save millions in the long-term opening similar schemes across the country. However, it’s not just about the saving. Giving those with complex mental health needs a genuine chance to reintegrate within their communities makes the service even more worthwhile.”