Do others, for example the public, GPs and coroners, know about NWW?
The amount of knowledge is variable, and it is vital for us all to seek to explain the concepts and therefore increase it. People are perhaps more used to NWW in other branches of the health service, such as emergency care practitioners, new roles in primary care, chronic disease management and even surgery, so it just needs explaining that things are changing in mental health too. The primary care subgroup of the National Steering Group on NWW is actively promoting NWW in mental health across care settings and helping to raise awareness. We are seeking to develop a guidance document with the Coroner’s Society for England and Wales to explain what the changes might mean for them and their work, which will incorporate the new roles in the Mental Health Act 2007.
