Over the Christmas break we are bringing you a round-up of key topics from our commissioning, innovation and efficiency, and leadership channels.

In this focus on mental health we highlight a selection of best practice articles from 2012. Emma Stanton discusses whether a trust’s mental health services have been effective, Daniel Harwood explores how payment by results can enhance mental health services, and Noel Plumridge and Steven Reid look at how understanding patients’ psychiatric conditions can help acute care providers improve physical health.

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B70Y1D Elderly Asian men play Jenga during their Dementia Awareness group meeting. Image shot 2008. Exact date unknown.

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It’s intensive, but is it for the best?

Emma Stanton and colleagues determine whether a trust’s intensive mental health services have been effective.

Payment by results can enhance mental health services

As well as improving the clarity of funding arrangements for providers, payment by results has huge potential benefits in improving quality of clinical care, writes Dr Daniel Harwood.

Improving the quality of dementia care

Dementia research reveals how better planning and a reduction in medication can improve quality of life and make big savings, say Julia Oxenbury and colleagues.

How to make modern dementia services

Dr Daniel Harwood discusses how dementia care has finally started to be taken more seriously in the UK.

Liaison psychiatry can bridge the gap

Noel Plumridge and Steven Reid advocate that understanding patients’ psychiatric conditions can help acute care providers improve physical health.

A person-centred approach to dementia care

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire Trust has introduced initiatives to ensure all staff are taught how to communicate and interact appropriately with someone who has dementia.