Mental health, learning disability and autism

Mental health, learning disability and autism (MHLDA) is one of six National Programmes of Care (NPoCs) that oversee the commissioning of specialised services.

The role of these programmes is to provide leadership and oversight of the development and delivery of a comprehensive work programme that achieves demonstrable improvements in the quality, equity, value, and outcomes of commissioned Specialised services.

The Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism NPoC currently covers the following Specialised service areas:

These services are increasingly delivered in collaboration with integrated care boards (ICBs) as part of the national movement toward greater local commissioning and community-based care models.

Clinical reference groups

Clinical reference groups (CRGs) provide clinical advice and leadership on specialised mental health, learning disability and autism services.

They consist of clinicians, commissioners, public health experts, patients, and carers who use their expertise to advise NHS England on how specialised services should be designed, commissioned, and improved.

CRGs lead the development of clinical commissioning policies, national service specifications, and quality standards. They also provide advice on service innovation, horizon scanning, and service reviews, and guide work to reduce variation and deliver better value and patient experience. Through their patient and public voice (PPV) members, CRGs ensure that any changes to the commissioning of specialised services involve patients and the public.

Following recent changes to commissioning arrangements, CRGs are also working more closely with local ICBs to support consistent delivery of specialised services across regions.

Chair and membership of the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism NPoC Board

Members

  • Clinical Chair: Adrian James
  • Head of Mental Health and Programme of Care: Sarah Warmington
  • Adult Secure CRG Chair: Mayura Deshpande
  • Children’s and Young People Mental Health CRG Chair: Pratibha Chitsabesan
  • All Age Eating Disorder CRG Chair: Dasha Nicholls
  • Adult Secure and Adult Deaf Mental Health Lead Commissioner: Rebecca Daddow
  • Children and Young People’s Mental Health Lead Commissioner: Andrew Simpson
  • Adult Eating Disorder Perinatal Mental Health Lead Commissioner: Marlon Brown
  • PPV Partners: Sharon Coaker, Dan Pennock and Leanne Walker
  • NHS England Specialised Commissioning Mental Health Finance Lead:   Helen Hunter
  • Public Health England: Esther Kwong and Dr Simona Baracaia
  • NHS England Regional Commissioning Leads for specialised MHLDA services