The Scottish Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Accreditation Network (SEAN)
In 1996 the Scottish Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Accreditation Network (SEAN) started out as a national audit project to answer questions about clinical practice, facilities and staffing, training and efficacy of treatment. The initial audit was paper-based and funded by the Clinical Resource Allocation Group (CRAG). The audit ran for three years and the findings were published in 20001.
Since then SEAN has continued to grow and has developed into a national clinical network, membership of which includes:
- Consultant Psychiatrists
- Consultant Anaesthetists
- ECT Nurses
- Operating Department Practitioners
- Recovery Nurses
In 2008 a multi-disciplinary Steering Group was formed with representation from the Scottish Government and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland.
As part of the continued development of SEAN, the accreditation of ECT Services in Scotland recommenced using current evidence-based standards.
The standards were developed from national guidelines and are available on the SEAN web-site www.sean.org.uk
Every clinic in Scotland will be visited in a two-year cycle by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of the SEAN Clinical Co-ordinator, a Consultant Psychiatrist, an ECT Nurse and a senior grade anaesthetist, assessed against these standards and awarded a level of accreditation accordingly. The Steering Group reviews these standards annually and feedback from voluntary organisations is invited to ensure that the views of patients and relatives with experience are included.
The network has received input over the years from various user-led organisations to ensure a patient-centred focus as we develop further. A new Reference Group is being formed with invited representation from the following Groups:
- Depression Alliance (Scotland) (DAS)
- Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
- Bipolar Fellowship
- Highland Users Group (HUG)
- Voices of Experience (VOX)
- The Consultation and Advocacy Promotion Service (CAPS)
- National Schizophrenia Fellowship
- Glasgow Mental Health Network
Since joining ISD the network has benefited from analytical support to allow more detailed investigation of the data being returned on an anonymous basis from the treating centres. The intention is to identify any variations in procedure and outcome that would help to inform clinicians and management about best practice.
Further information on SEAN can be found at www.sean.org.uk
