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Service Stories
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Ghent CAMHS, Belgium

Success Story Overview

When started CAPA
In 2007 Eric Schoentjes, a child psychiatrist in charge of the academic child psychiatric department of the University Hospital Ghent, introduced CAPA in their department.

Service description
The university of Ghent service provides services from 0-18 years: Liaison, Outpatient clinic, Outreach, Semi-residential, Residential
Staffing across the whole service, including residential, is: in FTE (in persons) 3.3+4 Child Psychiatrists (8), 9 Clinical Psychologists (10), 0.5 Social Worker (1), 1 Speech Therapist (2), 1 Psychomotor Therapist (1), 16+1+1 Nurses (21), 2.8 Secretaries (4)

Ghent CAMHS, Belgium

Story supplied by Eric Schoentjes, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

CAPA experience

The department had a highly skilled and motivated young staff group but were feeling burnt out, overloaded and there were significant waiting lists.

They started the process of service change by having a discussion group and going through the CAPA book. They had training seminars, analysed their referrals, skills and asked people what they enjoyed doing.

They did all their calculations so that they knew how much people could do and got rid of the waiting list with a Blitz. The initial changes were on intake process and Letting Go. The waiting list disappeared and flow was much improved.

In 2009 Eric contacted Ann and Steve and asked if they would visit- CAPA was running well and they wanted to help other teams in Flanders implement. Following the workshop the Ghent team focussed on Choice, engagement and empowerment of service users/Core/Specific work/even more on Letting-go.

Impact

No waiting list, diverse provision in Partnership, all staff involved in a way that suited their skills and preferences in working. Team conceptualised as ‘multifunctional’ rather than ‘sub teams’.

What do they like?

Inbuilt system of ongoing development.
Stimulating/rewarding system to work in.

What helped?

Leadership
Tearing down preconceptions

Problems and advice?

Leap in the unknown!
Focus on the key features to start
And finally, Involve everyone! The more the merrier!