Knowledge and Understanding Framework     |     Further information on Personality Disorders

People with personality disorder often have complex needs which bring them into contact with a wide range of services in health, social care, criminal justice system and third sector organisations.  They will often be repeatedly referred back to secondary mental health services, or remain in contact with parts of the service for a long time, without ever receiving full assessment and development of a suitable care package.

National Picture

There have been a range of national documents developed over the last 10 years that provide a set of principles and recommendations for the development of services that are inclusive, evidence based, needs led, consider prevention and management and provide staff with skill development and support.

The national guidance has been summarised by Thawait (2006) as follows:

• PD is a common condition
• PD in adults has its origin in childhood disturbance
• Service users with PD make heavy demands on local mental health services
• Personality disordered service users are likely to suffer from alcohol and drug problems
• Providing appropriate treatment for service users with PD requires clinicians to develop particular skills and these skills need to be appropriately supported

Regional Picture

West Midlands Regional Development Centre is involved in a number of related work streams and will work to influence partners and commissioners in embedding the KUF in all areas of service provision.  The regional work programme in response to the Bradley Review will engage Criminal Justice partners and ‘Recognising Complexity', the Personality Disorder Commissioning guidance will be a key lever in to support  local  commissioners. 

The Regional Development Centre has been commissioned by mental health commissioners within the region to develop a series of service specifications for key elements of mental health service provision.  The Personality Disorder Service Specification for West Midlands will be available here from 22nd April 2010.

There will be local additions to this document within each commissioning area to ensure it meets the needs of their local population and to describe their local service.

For further information on any of the regional personality disorder work please contact Becki Hipkins, Programme Specialist, West Midlands Regional Development Centre at becki.hipkins@wmrdc.org.uk or 07775 668749