Presented by Jane Itangata, Senior Commissioning Manager, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities and Catherine Wilson, Strategic Lead Commissioning and Procurement.

Catherine Wilson, Strategic Lead for Commissioning and Procurement, delivered a presentation on the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat and Mental Health Services in Thurrock.  Catherine was joined by colleagues from Thurrock CCG and mental health provider SEPT.

Whilst a high level action plan had been developed across South West Essex, Catherine commented that a Thurrock-specific action plan would be developed – via the Thurrock Mental Health Operations Group. 

Board members were given an update on the Street Triage initiative between Essex Police and Mental Health provider SEPT.  Sue Waterhouse from SEPT stated that the scheme had been very successful.  As a result of the initiative, many individuals had been diverted away from the Section 136 suite.  Due to the scheme’s success, partners had funded an extension which would include 7 day working.

Board members were keen that there was a Thurrock focus to agreed activity, and that there was clear responsibility assigned to actions and clear monitoring arrangements.  It was confirmed that the Thurrock Mental Health Operations Group would be responsible for overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the action plan.  It was also identified that a representative from Housing was required to sit on the Group.

Dr Bose raised concerns that some mental health referrals made for young people would often be sent back due to missing information.  He was made aware that the service referred to had been re-commissioned.  

The Director for Adults, Health and Commissioning stated that greater improvement in personalisation was required, similar to the transformation seen in options available for learning disabled service users.

Kim James, Chief Operating Officer for Thurrock Healthwatch provided a summary of feedback gained from users of mental health services in Thurrock.  This included both positive and negative examples and would be developed in to a report for commissioners and providers of services.

Graham Carey raised two issues on behalf of Thurrock’s Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board - both had supporting papers.

•           The Adult Safeguarding Board wanted to ask the Health and Wellbeing Board what it was doing to reduce suicides in Thurrock given that, unlike most authorities, Thurrock did not have a suicide prevention strategy.

•           Why was the level of local authority referrals to IMCA services for Thurrock residents over the last 5 years consistently at or near the bottom of a table of similar local authorities.

Suicide Prevention – Catherine confirmed that the Crisis Concordat did not include a Suicide Prevention Strategy nor a KPI on reducing suicides. Roger Harris expressed surprise that there was no strategy in existence given that there was one 5 or 6 years ago. It was agreed that there needed to be a new suicide prevention strategy and that the newly appointed Director of Public Health would be asked to develop a whole population Strategy which would be brought back to the Board for approval.

IMCA referrals – the Chair commented that she would like to know why referrals were so low and agreed that there should be a review.  For example were referral rates just low, or were people who required IMCAs being missed?  Graham Carey commented that there were safeguarding concerns if people were being missed at a time when they were most vulnerable.

RESOLVED:

1. That the Health and Wellbeing Board support the progress of the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat and the proposed framework for the implementation plan for Thurrock.

2.  That the Health and Wellbeing Board are aware of the services being provided in Thurrock for people experiencing mental ill-health.

3.  That the Health and Wellbeing Board have an opportunity to discuss in more depth mental health services in Thurrock.

4.  That the Director of Public Health be asked to develop a Whole Population Suicide Prevention Strategy that will be brought back to the Health and Wellbeing Board for approval.