Agenda item
Review of Mental Health Services in Medway - In-Depth Task Group Report
Minutes:
Background:
This report provided details of the outcome of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group in-depth review of Mental Health Services. A copy of the Task Group report was attached at Appendix A to the report.
It was noted that the Task Group had undertaken a broad review of Mental Health services across Medway, with a focus on people using services and carer experience, along with the outcomes of using services across all age groups. The Task Group had reviewed and tested the strengths and weaknesses of current mental health services in Medway, which included aspects of health, social care and housing.
The Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 18 December 2013 and details of its consideration were set out in paragraph 6 of the report.
A Diversity Impact Assessment screening exercise had been undertaken on the recommendations, as set out in Appendix B to the report. It was reported that in taking these recommendations forward, organisations would be asked to ensure that they complied with equalities obligations in line with good practice and legislation. The process of implementation would also provide opportunities to consult further with those groups representing the interests of those who had protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and these would be reflected in the implementation work plan.
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Decision number: |
Decision: |
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1/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that an Appreciative Enquiry Conference be held in Spring 2014, hosted by Medway Council, to include all relevant agencies to establish a shared vision for the future of Mental Health Services in Medway. This event should be jointly supported and funded by the Council, Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the two NHS providers of mental health services in Medway. |
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2/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to task the Council’s Mental Health Commissioner to explore further the opportunity for social care to be included in the shared care arrangements being developed by Medway CCG and Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT). |
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3/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to consider as part of the 2014/2015 revenue budget preparations support for longer-term follow up mental health support services, including the role for Public Health and in partnership with Medway CCG. |
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4/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that frontline staff should receive mental health awareness training (for example: receptionists, Library and Community Hub staff, housing staff and Sure Start Children Centres). This training could be provided by service users, carers, social workers, the Public Health Mental Health First Aid Trainer and KMPT staff; to ensure it is grounded in the lived experience locally and is directly relevant. This project could be taken forward as a stakeholder initiative, with the added value of relationship building. Training on mental health awareness training should also be offered to all Medway schools to an identified member of staff in the school, preferably a teacher. |
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5/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that this mental health awareness training could also be offered to other key service providers such as Medway’s Job Centre Plus and Medway Citizens Advice Bureau. |
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The Cabinet noted the Task Group’s belief that there are important messages for commissioners and providers of CAMHS and universal services to children and young people such as schools, in the feedback from service users and family carers. A copy of the report will be made available to Medway CCG, Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and Medway Schools Forum, in order that they can consider these issues further and take action, as appropriate, to help young people protect their mental health and to support their peers. |
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6/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to Medway Council mental health services adopting an approach of directly involving service users and carers in co-design and co-production of mental health services and through the work of the Partnership Commissioning Team to encourage this approach with partner commissioners and providers. |
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7/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to the identification of a Link worker in Housing and for Adult Social Care managers (in partnership with KMPT) to develop a support duty system to assist the Link worker to deal effectively with housing services clients with mental health needs. |
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8/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that if services are to continue to be provided from Riverside One that improvements to the reception and waiting areas are made; if services are to be relocated that the new location is welcoming to customers. A copy of this report will be made available to KMPT, who can consider the feedback of service users, carers and Members of the Task Group in relation to Kingsley House reception and waiting area, taking action as appropriate. |
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9/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that the Assistant Director for Partnership Commissioning develop opportunities that strengthen dialogue with local young people’s organisations, with a view to harnessing the capacity of young people to raise awareness of mental health issues as a means of prevention, earlier intervention and peer support. In addition to work with Public Health to explore their role in helping to raise awareness of mental health issues within schools, to include consideration of the option of involving school nurses. |
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10/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed that the Assistant Director for Partnership Commissioning and the Deputy Director of Children and Adults evaluate the extent to which there can be more flexibility in services to maximise support for young people and their families during transition; whilst respecting the legislative, regulatory and statutory guidance limitations and requirements. |
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11/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to task the Assistant Director for Partnership Commissioning to raise, via the CCG, the concerns regarding Section 136 arrangements for children and young people in Medway, and the Council’s view that a more suitable arrangement to meet local need must be provided. |
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12/2014 |
The Cabinet agreed to task the Deputy Director for Children and Adults and the Assistant Director for Partnership Commissioning to further improve carer assessment arrangements and cover services, in response to feedback from carers to the Task Group. |
Reasons:
The decisions respond to the main aim of the review, namely to improve outcomes and experiences for service users and their carers, and to feed in to future commissioning and delivery of services.
Supporting documents:
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