Discover the achievements of the 2014-2020 NPA projects
Seven years of cooperation between people, communities, and organisations across thousands of kilometres made a difference in the Northern Periphery and Arctic regions.
Browse the NPA map of results to discover our stories of cooperation. Pick a dot from the map and scroll down to read about people who have met similar minded colleagues and together found solutions for their shared challenges.
Use the +/- buttons in the top left corner of the map to zoom in/out or click on the regions to display the NPA project stories.
Improved referral system
New referral system improves children mental health
In Scottish Highlands, the need for psychiatric services for children and adolescents is higher than the services available. Young people and their families travel long distances to visit a specialist. The Centre for Rural Health has tested the online diagnostic system called Development and Wellbeing Assessment (DAWBA). The system is a package of questionnaires and interviews designed to generate psychiatric diagnoses for 2-17 years old. DAWBA has reduced waiting times, improved patients´ mental health and changed the referral practice as the GPs, school nurses, or primary mental health workers can receive faster the patients´ diagnosis and decide if a referral to a specialist is needed.
Dr Iain Kennedy
Riverside Medical Practice and Highland Local Medical CommitteeGetting good care for children and young people with mental health problems is challenging for general practitioners. Referrals to child psychiatry are often rejected after long waits because the service believes that the case does not meet their referral criteria. The distress caused to families is enormous and the family's trust in their GP is damaged. The DAWBA is easy to arrange and gives excellent advice to referrers. It should ensure rapid and efficient access to the right service.