Improving mental health

Southampton Science Park resident Otsuka Health Solutions is using predictive analytics to innovate the provision of mental health services across the UK.

The company’s MaST digital solution identifies people who are most likely to require crisis services – Accident and Emergency, Community Crisis Services or in-patient care – thus enabling NHS Mental Health Trusts to plan for, resource and deliver effective care for vulnerable people at greatest risk.

Mental illness is the second largest source of burden of disease in England. Community mental health teams are experiencing rising caseloads and patients with increasingly complex issues. Furthermore, the NHS is expecting more people to need mental health support because of the coronavirus pandemic, adding to the pressure on services. People with pre-existing mental ill-health may be especially vulnerable because of their physical health, their social situation or because they have been shielding. Yet, the number of nurses working in community and mental health services is now lower than in 2014.

OHS Founder, Caroline Gadd, explains: “NHS Trusts need to have the right information and insights to provide an effective approach to planning and delivering effective care for people who may be at greatest risk of mental ill health. However, NHS information systems are often unable to bring together information from multiple agencies and provide a structured, holistic view of people’s needs. MaST uses data in a joined-up way to ensure that people do not miss out on the treatment they need when they need it most.”

OHS successfully pitched to join Southampton Science Park’s Catalyst business accelerator programme in the autumn. Caroline commented: “We are at the stage of early commercialisation, having launched MaST successfully in three NHS Mental Health Trusts. But we’re a small team so securing new NHS customers, and delivering the very best value for them profitably, is challenging. I am delighted to have been successful with the Catalyst programme, by the end of which I hope to have a robust five year business plan in place and to have raised awareness of the potential of our solution with healthcare leaders and investors.”