Agenda item

The Chairman welcomed the new Chief Executive of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KPMT), Helen Greatorex, who stated she was happy to meet with Members over the coming weeks to discuss any particular issues or concerns they had.

The Executive Director Operations KMPT introduced this report which set out the response from the Trust in respect of the request for regular updates on the position with the acute mental health inpatient beds review.

The update covered the following areas:

·         The contracting round 2016/17, including the creation of short term additional younger adult bed capacity (which had now been completed);

·         Younger adult bed usage, including acute inpatient out of area placements and delayed transfers of care;

·         The work of the national Emergency Care Improvement Programme;

·         Section 136 (Mental Health Act 1983) assessments and the joint working with the Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust;

·         Single point of access and;

·         Closer working with social workers

The Executive Director referred to paragraph 7.3 of his report and apologised for missing text which meant the report incorrectly gave the impression that there was not close working between the Trust and the Council. In fact joint working was taking place and there was excellent engagement.

A Member referred to Section 136 assessments and commented that it was not acceptable for people with mental health issues to be held in cells and, instead, beds should be found for them. The Executive Director agreed but pointed out only 20% of S136 detentions involved people with mental health problems. The Trust was trying to reduce S136 detentions where mental health was not a factor and was keen that people did not unnecessarily end up in A&E or a S136 suite

With regard to progress with recruitment, Members were advised that this was on target at present and updates would be provided to the Committee.

In response to a query about whether the Trust had the expertise to deal with the younger adult group, Members were advised that the age range was 18-65 so, as it did not involve any under 18s, the Trust felt competent to deal with the people falling into this group.

A Member referred to the £4.4m cost last year of providing external beds and made the point that this could have been better used to provide a ward in Medway and also asked how many out of area beds were a necessity. The Chief Executive of the Trust responded that the Trust wanted to see patients treated in beds in Medway and looked after by the Trust’s staff rather than placed in private beds. Addressing this would take time and required joined up working with other agencies. Discussions were taking place with commissioners who had asked the Trust to provide additional beds and services. There was a separate budget for of out of area beds where placements were a necessity.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report and asked for a further progress report at the next meeting.