Task sharing: transfer of knowledge from thrive NYC to the Scottish context

Purpose This paper aims to share ideas and innovative approaches that help to tackle the “demand/supply” gap currently experienced by mental health services, particularly interventions with a specific focus on tackling significant health inequalities and improving mental health outcomes for families and children. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides detail on applying a task sharing model, informed by a four-year Trans-Atlantic learning partnership funded by the EU Horizon 2020 research programme. The model is applied to an intervention “Together to Thrive” delivered in Dundee, Scotland with learning from the Connections to Care programme delivered in New York City. Findings Together to Thrive is in its early days of development. The scope of the challenge is significant with referrals to CAMHS continuing to increase resulting in long periods on waiting lists, increased rejected referrals and families continuing to struggle often leading to crisis. New innovative ways of working need to be explored. and the application of a task sharing model offers some promise. Research limitations/implications There continue to be gaps in our knowledge about the task sharing model, particularly in the way it has been applied within Together to Thrive, i.e. as an “enhancement”. A current external evaluation into impact will provide some insight into how it is experienced by families. In the longer term, a data linking comparison study to gain insights into the journey of families on CAMHS waiting lists who receive support from Together to Thrive, compared with those who do not, would be worthwhile further study. Practical implications Further operational insights are needed particularly when funding cuts mean a lack of capacity at a systems level making even the trialling of innovations a challenge. Originality/value This paper offers an original insight into the application of the core principles of a task sharing model, with a focus on increasing capacity for mental health improvement, to enable parents and children to access more timely and appropriate support. It draws on learning from Connections to Care and how this has been applied in a very different context through the Together to Thrive programme.