Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities, which presented Halton’s draft integrated Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioning Strategy 2013-2018 and supporting evidence paper.

The Board was advised that the National policy relating to mental health was set out in “No Health without Mental Health” – DH 2011 (NHWMH) and emphasised that mental health was everybody’s business.  The policy set out six high level objectives with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

The Board was further advised that mental health problems were the single largest cause of ill health and disability in the Borough. Halton’s Health and Wellbeing Board had recognised this by including “Prevention and early detection of mental health conditions” as one of its five priorities. The Boards Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2013-18 included actions to begin addressing this and included the NHWMH six objectives as the framework to address the challenge of improving mental health and wellbeing in the Borough.

It was reported that the overarching aims of the strategy were to:

·                   Improve the mental health and wellbeing of Halton people through prevention and early intervention;

·                   Increase the early detection of mental health problems leading to improved mental wellbeing for people with mental health problems and their families;

·                   Improve the outcomes for people with mental health problems through high quality accessible services;

·                   Optimise value for money by developing quality services which achieve positive outcomes for people within existing resources; and

·                   Broaden the approach taken to tackle the wider social determinants and consequences of mental health problems.

In conclusion, it was reported that the overview of progress in implementing the strategy action plan would be through the Mental Health Strategic Commissioning Board which reported to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

The following comments arose from the discussion:-

·                   Members congratulated Officers on the report;

·                   Page 94, Priority 1 – Improve the mental health and wellbeing of Halton people through prevention and early intervention, clarity was sought on whether all staff involved with mental health patients would have appropriate training.  In reply, it was reported that all midwives and health visitors etc received core foundation training to enable them to undertake a risk assessment, and refer individuals to appropriate services;

·                   It was noted that a pilot was being undertaken working with Cheshire Police, Warrington CCG and Halton CCG whereby CPNs were present on police patrols and available in custody suites etc.  It was reported that the pilot had been successful so far and had significantly reduced costs and the number of Section 136’s.  It was also reported that it was hoped that post March 2014, this practice could be permanently established.  The Board also noted that funding for this service was via a three way split between the pilot agencies;

·                   It was noted that as the strategy was implemented, the number of people being identified with mental health problems would increase.  However, the benefits of the early detection of mental health problems was also noted;

·                   Page 98 – Priority 3, to improve outcomes for people with identified mental health problems through high quality, accessible services – It was noted that work was taking place with 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust regarding the provision of respite to support the whole family;

·                   The Board noted the excellent work being undertaken at the Brooker Centre and the importance of retaining the centre;

·                   The Board noted the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) was an NHS programme rolling out services across England, offering interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence for treating people with depression and anxiety disorders; and

·                   Page 119 - The Board noted Halton’s Vision and acknowledged that Halton were well on the way to achieving it.

RESOLVED: That the contents of Halton Mental Health and Wellbeing Commissioning Strategy 2013-2018, evidence paper and comments raised be noted.