Presenters: Sir John Oldham, MB, ChB, MBA, Head of the Improvement Foundation, UK; Lesley Callow, Director of the Mental Health Programme, Improvement Foundation, UK

    This session will describe the experiences of 83 general practices and over 400 GPs participating in The Improvement Foundation Mental Health Collaborative to implement systematic care in the UK for adults of working age who have common mental health disorders. The results at the nine-month point of a 24-month program show substantial reductions in consultations with GPs and other practice staff, reduction in referrals to community mental health teams and psychiatrists, and a reduction in the numbers of adults out of work long-term.
    After this presentation you will be able to:

• Apply the change principles and change ideas discussed for the benefit of your own patients.
• Identify lessons learned that may be transferable to your own demographic and geographic situation.
• Discuss the UK experience and its potential in the UK health care economy.